Tender moment precedes Maori All Blacks vs Ireland clash
- 2543
A touching gesture by the Irish saw captain Bundee Aki present a number 11 jersey to the Maori All Blacks before the latter commenced an emotional haka performance.
The jersey was in honour of the late Sean Wainui, a former Maori All Black and Chiefs winger who tragically passed away in a car accident in October last year. Following the haka, the jersey was retrieved by Wainui’s widow and two children.
Bundee Aki presents the Maori All Blacks with a jersey for the late Sean Wainui pic.twitter.com/bkMOmJUa3Q
— Ultimate Rugby (@ultimaterugby) June 29, 2022
The gesture was made all the more special by virtue of the fact that Aki is himself a New Zealander originally and also represented the Chiefs during his Super Rugby days.
Wainui was just 25 years old at the time of his passing and delighted fans with his wonderful play characterised by pace, power and anticipation. He racked up nine appearances for the Crusaders between 2016 and 2017 before joining the ranks of the Chiefs for whom he turned out 44 times.
