Grieving young wife of All Blacks star Sean Wainui reveals her heartbreak after laying him to rest: 'My baby, I'll love you forever'
- Rugby star Sean Wainui's wife Paige posted emotional tribute after his funeral
- Maori All Black died in a crash in New Zealand's Bay of Plenty region last week
- 'Laying you to rest... was the hardest thing I have and will ever do,' Paige wrote
- Last week teammates of the 25-year-old did the haka as he was moved home
- Paige and her two children watched the spine-tingling tribute from afar
The young wife of the Maori All Blacks star killed in a car crash last week has shared her heartbreak in an emotional tribute to her husband as he was laid to rest.
Super Rugby star Sean Wainui, 25, died in a freak car accident near Tauranga in New Zealand's Bay of Plenty region last week.
Wainui's funeral took place in Gisborne yesterday.
His wife Paige posted an Instagram Story in which she is pictured smiling alongside her husband as he plays guitar.
'Laying you to rest yesterday was the hardest thing I have and will ever do in my entire life,' Paige wrote. 'Missing you so much, my baby, love you forever.'
'Laying you to rest yesterday was the hardest thing I have and will ever do in my entire life,' Paige (right) wrote about the funeral for her husband, Maori All Blacks star Sean Wainui (left)
The player's devastated widow Paige (middle) clutches her children close to her as another woman runs from behind the camera to throw her arms around the young family
The All Blacks paid tribute to Wainui by pausing the haka before the Test match against USA in Washington on Saturday
Paige also posted a photo of a shoreline with the words, 'Not a second goes by where I'm not thinking of you, my baby, right by your favourite place in the world.
'I know you're looking over us forever.'
Last week Paige posted a video to Instagram as her husband's body was being readied for his return to Gisborne.
It showed her watching almost two dozen men perform a ceremonial Maori haka while she tightly held her two children, son Kawariki, 2, and stepdaughter Arahia.
'This pain is unbearable Kei te hoki koe ki tō whenua taurikura my baby māku koe e arahi. I know you're waiting for us,' she wrote.
'We're on our way to gizzy [Gisborne] bringing you home now baby.'
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The Maori words roughly translate as 'you're returning to your home, I will lead you'.
The All Blacks honoured him by pausing while performing the haka before the team's Test match against the USA in Washington DC on Saturday.
The team stopped for 11 seconds to pay tribute to the the No.11 jersey Wainui wore for the team.
Meanwhile, Wainui's family released a statement.
'We just want to thank everyone for their love and generosity. The beautiful tributes that have come from those who loved him all across the world means a lot to us all.
'We understand there are many hurting right now and wanting to hear from the whānau, but please respect that we have just lost our baby brother, a son, a husband and a father and our focus right now is healing and laying my brother to rest.'
Paige posted a photo of a shoreline with the words, 'Not a second goes by where I'm not thinking of you, my baby, right by your favourite place in the world.... I know you're looking over us forever'
The powerful tribute from his teammates comes after a video of Wainui teaching his eight-month-old son Kawariki to do the haka went viral in February this year (pictured)
'I'm broken. I'm right here, baby. Always and forever,' Wainui's devastated partner captioned the photo, along with three broken heart emojis (pictured)
The couple had only celebrated their one year wedding anniversary six weeks ago (pictured)
The couple had only celebrated their one year wedding anniversary six weeks ago, with the player sharing throwback snaps from their big day to Instagram.
'One year of marriage with my darling. Love you more and more everyday. Here's to another 100,' he captioned the sweet tribute to his 'wifey'.
The former under-20s New Zealand representative played 53 Super Rugby games for the Crusaders and current club the Chiefs.
Wainui 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.
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.
The former under-20s New Zealand representative (pictured) played 53 Super Rugby games for the Crusaders and current club the Chiefs
'He epitomised everything you could possibly ask for in a player,' Chiefs and Maori All Blacks coach Clayton McMillan said of the player (pictured, middle)
'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, with New Zealand Rugby boss Mark Robinson describing 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.
'This pain is unbearable', Wainui's grieving wife Paige (pictured) wrote to Instagram on Wednesday, adding 'Baby I need all your mana & kaha, I can't do this without you'
The young couple share two children, son Kawariki, 2, and stepdaughter Arahia (pictured)
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.'
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