The NPC match between Bay of Plenty and Northland, scheduled to be played at Tauranga Domain at 2.05pm tomorrow, will be postponed in the wake of Sean Wainui’s death.
The Bay of Plenty, Chiefs and Maori All Blacks back was killed in a single-vehicle crash at McLaren Falls Park inOmanawa, near Tauranga, on Monday. Wainui is survived by his wife Paige and their children Kawariki and Arahia. A tangi for Wainui will be held in Gisborne tomorrow.
New Zealand Rugby said that after consulting with their playing groups, both unions agreed it did not feel appropriate to play on the day of the tangi. NZ Rugby is working with the Bay of Plenty and Northland unions to reschedule the match.
Before all NPC and Heartland Championship matches this weekend, the rugby community will acknowledge the life of Wainui, as a sign of respect to Wainui and his whanau.
Players, coaches, managers and match officials will wear black armbands and Wainui will also be acknowledged by way of a special tribute and moment’s silence before each match.
