The Country
  • The Country home
  • Latest news
  • Audio & podcasts
  • Opinion
  • Dairy farming
  • Sheep & beef farming
  • Rural business
  • Rural technology
  • Rural life
  • Listen on iHeart radio

Subscriptions

  • Herald Premium
  • Viva Premium
  • The Listener
  • BusinessDesk

Sections

  • Latest news
  • Coast & Country News
  • Opinion
  • Dairy farming
  • Sheep & beef farming
  • Horticulture
  • Animal health
  • Rural business
  • Rural technology
  • Rural life

Media

  • Podcasts
  • Video

Weather

  • Kaitaia
  • Whāngarei
  • Dargaville
  • Auckland
  • Thames
  • Tauranga
  • Hamilton
  • Whakatāne
  • Rotorua
  • Tokoroa
  • Te Kuiti
  • Taumurunui
  • Taupō
  • Gisborne
  • New Plymouth
  • Napier
  • Hastings
  • Dannevirke
  • Whanganui
  • Palmerston North
  • Levin
  • Paraparaumu
  • Masterton
  • Wellington
  • Motueka
  • Nelson
  • Blenheim
  • Westport
  • Reefton
  • Kaikōura
  • Greymouth
  • Hokitika
  • Christchurch
  • Ashburton
  • Timaru
  • Wānaka
  • Oamaru
  • Queenstown
  • Dunedin
  • Gore
  • Invercargill

NZME Network

  • Advertise with NZME
  • OneRoof
  • Driven Car Guide
  • BusinessDesk
  • Newstalk ZB
  • Sunlive
  • ZM
  • The Hits
  • Coast
  • Radio Hauraki
  • The Alternative Commentary Collective
  • Gold
  • Flava
  • iHeart Radio
  • Hokonui
  • Radio Wanaka
  • iHeartCountry New Zealand
  • Restaurant Hub
  • NZME Events

SubscribeSign In
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Home / The Country

Rugby: Sam Whitelock opens up about how All Blacks are dealing with Sean Wainui's passing

NZ Herald
19 Oct, 2021 06:00 PM2 mins to read

Subscribe to listen

Access to Herald Premium articles require a Premium subscription. Subscribe now to listen.
Already a subscriber?  Sign in here

Listening to articles is free for open-access content—explore other articles or learn more about text-to-speech.
‌
Save

    Share this article

All Blacks hooker Codie Taylor was overcome with emotion as he and Sam Whitelock paid tribute to Sean Wainui. Video / NZ Herald

Veteran lock Sam Whitelock has encouraged teammates to speak out after the sudden death of Sean Wainui, as the All Blacks tour the northern hemisphere.

Wainui died in a car crash on Monday, and was a teammate and friend to many of the current squad.

Whitelock said players were struggling to grapple with the news and that it was "critical" they spoke about it.

"There are a lot of people here heartbroken by Sean's passing.," Whitelock said. "There are people walking around with a pretty heavy heart at the moment which is understandable.

Sean Wainui. Photo / Photosport
Sean Wainui. Photo / Photosport
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

"It's a delicate one with the boys being away here.

"Yes we're here to play rugby but there's so many other things that can affect that and this is one of those. People will be going through different cycles of grief. At the moment it's all very raw still and everyone in their own ways are connecting with stories about Sean."

Meanwhile, Crusaders hooker Codie Taylor also fronted media on Tuesday after hearing of the news.

Breaking down during the interview, his raw emotions reflected the grief the All Blacks have been grappling with.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

"It really hits home. It shows how fragile life can be. You feel for his loved ones. It's hard, he's got kids," Taylor said as he shed tears.

"I want to send love from the All Blacks to his family. It's hugely devastating news to hear and I know they'll be going through a lot right now. It's pretty tragic. He's a man held in high regard among the rugby community. He was a special part of the Crusaders when he first came down and a special part of the Chiefs, Māori All Blacks, Taranaki and the Bay."

The All Blacks have held a team meeting to share stories about Wainui and the leadership group are discussing how to best honour him in Sunday's test against the USA.

As they shake off jet lag and settle into the States the All Blacks held mini team games featuring a mock NFL competition, before travelling past Washington DC's main monuments.

Save

    Share this article

Latest from The Country

The Country

'Hysterics': Pet dog Shiva swept into drains during flooding found safe 24 hours later

01 Jul 04:00 AM
The Country

Zespri teams up with Dame Lisa Carrington

01 Jul 03:30 AM
The Country

Union warns against meat self-inspection plans

01 Jul 03:22 AM

There’s more to Hawai‘i than beaches and buffets – here’s how to see it differently

sponsored
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Latest from The Country

'Hysterics': Pet dog Shiva swept into drains during flooding found safe 24 hours later

'Hysterics': Pet dog Shiva swept into drains during flooding found safe 24 hours later

01 Jul 04:00 AM

The pet dog was sucked into the drainage system during the weekend's heavy rain event.

Zespri teams up with Dame Lisa Carrington

Zespri teams up with Dame Lisa Carrington

01 Jul 03:30 AM
Union warns against meat self-inspection plans

Union warns against meat self-inspection plans

01 Jul 03:22 AM
Large pig on the loose surprises Pegasus locals

Large pig on the loose surprises Pegasus locals

01 Jul 03:20 AM
From early mornings to easy living
sponsored

From early mornings to easy living

NZ Herald
  • About NZ Herald
  • Meet the journalists
  • Newsletters
  • Classifieds
  • Help & support
  • Contact us
  • House rules
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use
  • Competition terms & conditions
  • Our use of AI
Subscriber Services
  • NZ Herald e-editions
  • Daily puzzles & quizzes
  • Manage your digital subscription
  • Manage your print subscription
  • Subscribe to the NZ Herald newspaper
  • Subscribe to Herald Premium
  • Gift a subscription
  • Subscriber FAQs
  • Subscription terms & conditions
  • Promotions and subscriber benefits
NZME Network
  • The New Zealand Herald
  • The Northland Age
  • The Northern Advocate
  • Waikato Herald
  • Bay of Plenty Times
  • Rotorua Daily Post
  • Hawke's Bay Today
  • Whanganui Chronicle
  • Viva
  • NZ Listener
  • Newstalk ZB
  • BusinessDesk
  • OneRoof
  • Driven Car Guide
  • iHeart Radio
  • Restaurant Hub
NZME
  • About NZME
  • NZME careers
  • Advertise with NZME
  • Digital self-service advertising
  • Book your classified ad
  • Photo sales
  • NZME Events
  • © Copyright 2025 NZME Publishing Limited
TOP