Heartbreaking video of All Blacks star Sean Wainui teaching his eight-month-old son the haka
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A heartbreaking video of Maori All Blacks star Sean Wainui teaching his baby son the haka has reemerged online after he tragically died.
The highly respected centre, 25, was killed in a single vehicle crash near Tauranga in New Zealand’s Bay of Plenty region on Monday morning,
He leaves behind a devastated wife Paige and two young children – son Kawariki, 2, and step-daughter, Arahia.
In a video originally posted his Instagram in January 2020, Wainui teaches then eight-month-old Kawariki how to do the traditional dance.
In the clip, he starts the chant while his smiling baby, standing on the sofa, beams up at him, squealed with delight as his father chants and stamps his feet.
Kawariki starts to slap his arms to the side, mimicking his father while he chants the traditional Maori words ‘ka mate’.
Eight-month-old Kawariki joins in with his father, rugby player Sean Wainui, 24, in performing the haka (pictured)
Wainui and his wife Paige (right) celebrated their one year anniversary just six weeks ago. ‘One year of marriage with my darling. Love you more and more everyday,’ he posted to Instagram
Mr Wainui takes his son’s hands and moves them in time with the chant before the child lets out an excited giggle as the dance finishes
Wainui continues to chant and stomp his feet, walking towards the baby who slaps his hands to his side in time.
For the last verse, Mr Wainui takes his son’s hands and moves them in time with the chant before the child lets out an excited giggle.
The video was shared by All Blacks fly-half Dan Carter, 38, who holds the record for the most points held in test match rugby.
He said: ‘Don’t know how I missed this. This made my day. Teach them young.’
Wainui captioned the video originally shared on Instagram: ‘Haka practice. Happy eight months boy.’
Performing the haka at rugby games began with the 1888–89 New Zealand Native football team tour and has been carried on by the All Blacks since 1905.
Samoa, Tonga and Fiji also perform a haka before their international rugby games.
Why the haka is performed
The haka is a type of ancient Māori war dance traditionally used on the battlefield, as well as when groups came together in peace.
Haka are a fierce display of a tribe’s pride, strength and unity.
Actions include violent foot-stamping, tongue protrusions and rhythmic body slapping to accompany a loud chant.
The words of a haka often poetically describe ancestors and events in the tribe’s history.
Today, haka are still used during Māori ceremonies and celebrations to honour guests and show the importance of the occasion. This includes family events, like birthdays and weddings.
SOURCE: NewZealand.com
Super Rugby star Sean Wainui (pictured, centre) died in a crash in New Zealand’s Bay of Plenty region
Wainui pictured with his wife Paige and two young children, son Kawariki 2, and daughter, Arahia
Wanui made Super Rugby history in June by becoming the first player to score five tries in a match in a Trans-Tasman clash against the NSW Waratahs.
The former under-20s New Zealand representative played 53 Super Rugby games for the Crusaders and current club the Chiefs.
He also represented the Maori All Blacks on 10 occasions.
His Super Rugby club led the outpouring of tributes as Wainui was remembered as a passionate, hard-working and proud Māori and exceptional player.
‘He epitomised everything you could possibly ask for in a player,’ Chiefs and Maori All Blacks coach Clayton McMillan said.
‘He was an influential member in the teams he has been a part of, and his presence will be missed. Our sincere condolences to Paige, Kawariki and Arahia and his wider whānau at this difficult time. We are offering them our full support along with our players and staff.’
Wainui had been a fan favourite since joining the Chiefs in 2018.
Sean and his wife Paige (pictured together), ‘He’s such a good person so this is tragic,’ rugby coach Neil Barnes said
Wainui with wife Paige and son Kawariki, 2, after a Chiefs game, where he played 44 games
New Zealand Rugby boss Mark Robinson described the tragedy as a dark day for the code.
He urged the media to give the Wainui family ‘space to grieve as we all reflect on a young life that has ended far too early’.
‘We know Sean’s passing will be felt deeply by everyone involved in rugby, particularly his Bay of Plenty and Chiefs team mates and we share their sorrow and their shock,’ Mr Robinson said.
An All Blacks statement read: ‘We are heartbroken right now. Sean, you were an inspiration and will never be forgotten. We extend all of our strength and aroha to your friends and whānau.
Sean Wainui in action for The Chiefs against the NSW Waratahs in Sydney in June, when he became the first player in Super Rugby history to score five tries in a match
Australian-born New Zealand artist Stan Walker (right) posted a photo from Wainui’s wedding with a touching tribute to the rugby star
Former All Blacks star Sonny Bill Williams was quick to pay tribute to Wainui after news of his passing
Wainui’s Chiefs team-mate Brad Weber was another to post a heartfelt tribute
Chiefs team-mate Brad Weber was another to post a heartfelt tribute.
‘Can’t quite put into words how much this one hurts. Always said publicly that Sean deserves everything he gets because he works so hard for it. But he doesn’t deserve this.
‘That first day back at Chiefs HQ next season is gonna hurt walking in and not seeing you there brother. RIP.’
His former club, the Crusaders, joined those paying tribute to Wainui.
‘We are deeply saddened to hear news of the passing of Sean Wainui Crusader #189, Sean will forever be a cherished member of our club,’ the Crusaders posted to its Twitter account.
‘I feel so sorry for his partner. He’s got a young one as well. It’s terrible for their whole family,’ coach Neil Barnes said of Wainui’s passing, pictured above with partner Paige
Wainui was born in Whatatutu near Gisborne and raised in Auckland.
He captained his school team at Takapuna Grammar School before he debuted for Taranaki in 2014 while still a teenager.
Current Taranaki coach Neil Barnes told the New Zealand Herald that Wainui was one of the hardest-working and fittest players he had seen.
‘He’s such a good person so this is tragic. He’s a really good community and family man. I feel so sorry for his partner. He’s got a young one as well. It’s terrible for their whole family.’
Police inquiries into the fatal crash are continuing.
‘Police were notified that a car had crashed into a tree at around 7.50am,’ a statement read.
‘The sole occupant of the vehicle died at the scene.
‘The Serious Crash Unit attended the scene, and enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.’
The Maori All Blacks star (pictured) was a fan favourite at Super Rugby club Chiefs
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