All Blacks given chance to miss USA test after Sean Wainui death
All Blacks players struggling with the sudden death of Chiefs and Maori All Blacks star Sean Wainui will be given the chance to sit out this weekend’s test against the United States in Washington DC.
Wainui died in a single-vehicle car crash in Omanawa on Monday, and the impact of his shock death has reverberated throughout the rugby world.
Those within the current All Blacks squad have been particularly hard-hit, with everyone in the squad having played with or against Wainui at either international, Super Rugby, provincial or age-grade level.
A former teammate of Wainui’s at the Crusaders between 2016 and 2017, All Blacks hooker Codie Taylor broke down in tears during a press conference on Tuesday as he spoke of how the 25-year-old’s passing has affected the New Zealand national squad.
The news of Wainui’s death comes less than a week out from the team’s opening match of their end-of-year tour against the USA Eagles at FedEx Field in the American capital on Sunday [NZ time].
Speaking to media on Wednesday, All Blacks assistant coach John Plumtree said players who feel too upset to play in this weekend’s match have the option to sit out if required.
However, Plumtree said he would “be surprised” if players opted out of the test, New Zealand’s first against the USA in seven years, first on American soil in five years, and first time ever playing in Washington DC.
“If there was someone that just couldn’t play because, mentally, it was just too tough, then absolutely, but I don’t think you’ll find that,” he said.
“I think you’ll find that Sean would have wanted all those boys to be available for this test match and I’d be surprised if one of them didn’t want to play.”
Plumtree added the loss of Wainui has had a particular impact on those who played alongside him at the Chiefs since 2018, as well as those from the Crusaders teams of 2016 and 2017 and those who have played for the Maori All Blacks since 2015.
In commemoration of their teammate’s passing, Plumtree revealed the Chiefs players within the All Blacks set-up organised drinks in the team room at their hotel to pay their respects to Wainui.
“The passing of Sean Wainui has been really hard on the team. It hit us pretty hard,” Plumtree said.
“No matter how well he had played, or how many tries he had scored, he would take none of the credit, preferring to praise the work of those who had given him the ball.”
Tony Johnson pays tribute to Sean Wainui.https://t.co/hSO98wdG9T
— The XV Rugby (@TheXV) October 19, 2021
“The Chiefs boys organised a little drink last night in the team room for anyone that wanted to join them, just in remembrance of him, and, I have to say, everyone came.
“They told some personal stories about what a fantastic person Sean is to them and there were some really beautiful moments.
“Pretty tough start to the week, but back to training today, so we’re into it and looking forward to getting back to what we do best, and that’s playing footy.”
The presence of All Blacks mental skills coach Gilbert Enoka has proven to be vital in this difficult time, as Plumtree said support is available to help players deal with the grieving process.
“There’s some more things put in place for those individuals. Obviously having Gilbert Enoka here, he’s put some things in place for those individuals,” Plumtree said.
“I think we’ve just really encouraged everyone to be open and to be able to talk about Sean with somebody. Being vulnerable now is really important, and the boys have been fantastic in that space.
“Like I said, last night was really a special time for us as a team and the Chiefs boys that knew him, and for the Crusaders boys that knew him best.
“We have acknowledged the fact that it’s not over yet for some people, and it is a long week, but we do have a test match to prepare for as well.”
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Comments on RugbyPass
Steve Borthwick deserves credit for releasing the shackles on his England side and letting them play in a manner that somewhat resembles the top sides in the Gallagher Premiership. Will they revert to type in New Zealand in July.?
20 Go to commentsJames Lowe wouldn't get in any other 6N team. He's a great example of Farrell’s brilliance, and the Irish system. He is slow. His footwork is poor. But he fits perfectly in that Irish system, and has a superb impact. But put him in another team, and he'll look bang average.
3 Go to commentsCrusaders reached their heights through recruitment of North Island players, often leaving those NI teams bereft of key players. Example: Scott Barrett and Sam Whitelock robbed the Canes of their lineout and AB locks. For years the Canes have struggled at lock. This rabid recruitment was iniated by rule changes by a Crusader dominated NZR Head Office. Now this aggressive recruitment has back-fired, going after young inside back Hamilton Boys stars. They now have 4 Chiefs region 10s and not one with the requisite experience at Super level. Problems of their own making!
2 Go to commentsOver rated for a long time…exposed at scrum time too.
3 Go to comments“Firing me” should have been Gatland’s answer.
2 Go to commentsFinn Russell logic: “World” = 4 countries. Ireland may be at or near the top. FR’s bigger concern should be he and his fellow Scots (incl. the Bloemfontein ones) sliding back down to below top 10
42 Go to commentsMind games have begun. Ireland learned their lesson after saying they could beat England with 13 players or whatever. Still, if they win at Loftus, that would be impressive - final frontier etc.
58 Go to comments$950k for a Prop that isn’t fit enough to play 10 mins of rugby? Surely there is someone better to replace Big Mike with
3 Go to commentsFour Kiwis in that backline. A solid statement on the lack of invention, risk-taking and joy in the NH game; game of attrition and head- banging tedium. Longterm medical problems aplenty in the future!
3 Go to commentsGood article, I learnt quite a lot. A big sliding door moment was in the mid 00s when they rejected Steve Anderson's long term transformation and he wrote Ireland's strategy instead.
2 Go to commentsHi Dr Nick! I'm worried that I've started to enjoy watching England and have actually wanted them to win their last two games. What would you prescribe? On a more serious note, I've noticed that the standard of play in March is often better than early February. Do you think this is because of the weather or because the players have been together for longer?
20 Go to commentsMy question in all this brett is who is going to wear the consequences of these actions? Surely just getting the sack isn’t sufficient? A teenager working the till at woolies would probably get taken to court if they took $20 out of the till. You mean to tell me that someone can spend $2.6 million and get away with it? Where was it spent? What companies/people were the beneficiaries etc? How is it just being talked about as an ‘oopsie’ and we all just move on and not a matter of the court for gross negligence, fraud, take your pick…
18 Go to commentslove Manu too but England have relied on him coming back from injury for far too long and not sorted the position with someone else long term . It will be a blessing he has gone . Huge shame he was so injury prone . God speed Manu .
3 Go to commentsI agree with Ben Smith about Brett Cameron. The No. 6 position has to be a monster and a genuine lineout option, like Ollivon, Lawes (now Chessum), Du Toit, etc. The only player who fits that bill right now is Scott Barrett. A fit and fizzing Tuipolotu together with one of the young towers, Sam Darry or Josh Lord, would give Razor the freedom to play Barret at 6.
16 Go to commentsOutstanding article, Graham. Agree with all of it. And enjoy the style of writing too (particularly Grand Slap!).
3 Go to commentsI wouldn't pay a cent for that loafer. He just stands around, waiting for play to come his way. He won't make the Wallabies.
3 Go to commentsGood bit of te reo maori Nic. Or is that Niko or Nikora? On the theme of trees the Oaks v Totara. Game plan would be key. I have one but it would cost you.
20 Go to comments> Shaun Edwards’ You should not have to score 30 points to win a game, as exciting as it is. This statement was surprising to me. It is nonsensical .I guess it is a defence coach speaking. But head coach, defence and attacking coaches all work together. They are inseparable. You score more than the opposition to win. It only needs to be one score. You score whatever the game demands, whatever the opposition demand. You defend whatever it takes. The attack coach needs to be able to clock up 30pts if need be.
20 Go to commentsWho’d have thought, not having Farrell & Youngs kicking the ball at every possible opportunity and playing flat and allowing your centres to run and pass would pay off? No one could possibly have seen this coming. FML. It took a LONG time coming but at least that time has finally come. England need to find a backup to Lawrence. Freeman is the best candidate for me, I see no reason why he can't play 12. He's big, strong, fast and has great hands.
20 Go to commentsLove Manu but he's not the player he was and I imagine Bayonne have paid too much money for him.
3 Go to comments