Zar's tribute to brother

Rugby sevens veteran Zar Lawrence took to the field in Hong Kong yesterday just hours after learning of his younger brother's death in a car accident in South Auckland early on Saturday morning.

Lawrence wore a black arm band featuring his brother's name, Wiremu, in the match against Zimbabwe, which New Zealand won 52-0.

Lawrence has vowed to complete the tournament before flying home for 15-year-old Wiremu's tangi.

A spokesman for Counties Manukau police said the 15-year-old driver was travelling at high speed when the car left the the road and crashed into a tree on Te Irirangi Drive.

A female passenger suffered serious injuries.

Richard Lawrence, uncle to Zar and Wiremu, said the teenager had been living in Auckland for three years.