Wainui signs for Steamers

ON THE BURST: Sean Wainui makes a break for the Maori All Blacks against Fiji at Rotorua International Stadium in July 2019. Wainui, who hails from Whatatutu, has signed for the Bay of Plenty Steamers for the 2021 season. Rotorua Daily Post picture

RUGBY

TAIRAWHITI-born Sean Wainui has signed for the Bay of Plenty Steamers for the 2021 season.

Wainui, a utility back specialising in centre, scored 75 points in his 49 appearances for Taranaki since 2014.

He has 52 Super Rugby caps, with nine games for the Crusaders and — since signing with them in 2018 — 43 for the Chiefs.

Wainui has seven caps for the Maori All Blacks and played in the New Zealand Under-20 side in 2015.

He is of Ngariki Kaiputahi and Ngati Porou descent. Last year he said he loved coming home to Whatatutu as much as he could, bearing gifts from his travels.

The first Bay of Plenty game in their 2021 campaign is against defending champions the Tasman Mako on August 8 in Tauranga.