All Blacks hooker Codie Taylor has broken down with grief, as he paid tribute to Māori All Blacks and Chiefs star Sean Wainui.
The utility back was killed in a car accident near Tauranga on Monday morning, he was 25.
The news has shocked the NZ rugby community, with Wainui representing the Chiefs and Crusaders at Super Rugby level, and Taranaki and Bay of Plenty at provincial level.
Currently in the US to face the Eagles, the All Blacks have also had to process the tragic news from long distance, while preparing for an upcoming test match.
A visibly upset Taylor paid his respects to Wainui and his family.
"Firstly, I just want to send my love from the All Blacks to his family," Taylor says. "[It was] hugely devastating news to hear and I know they'll be going through a lot right now.
"We send our love. 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 came down, a special part of the Chiefs, the Māori All Blacks, Taranaki and the Bay.
"It's pretty tough, I know there's a few boys in here who're really struggling - as you'd expect. We touched on it this morning as a group and there'll be another opportunity to do that later on.
"With a man with so much mana and respect, it's such sad news to hear. I suppose there's a lot of shock as well.
"You don't think it's ever going to happen to someone like that, but it does. It's just a cruel reality of the world.
"It's hard to talk about. I know that a lot of people will be hurting, it's a pretty tough time."
Taylor isn't alone in his grief, as many All Blacks will have shared the field and a dressing room with Wainui.
In particular, Sam Cane, Brad Weber, Damian McKenzie, Brodie Retallick, Anton Lienert-Brown, Luke Jacobson, Angus Ta'avao, Quinn Tupaea, Samisoni Taukei'aho, Tupou Vaa'i and Josh Lord are all current Chiefs, dealing with the loss of a teammate.
Taylor adds that everything is being done within the All Blacks camp to make sure the Chiefs contingent is being supported through their grief.
"Those were the men I was referring to," he says. "We haven't had too much discussion about it, as a leadership group.
"There'll be an opportunity, as a group, to connect and acknowledge Seany, his family and his loved ones, which is important.
"Shock is one word, you can probably say, that's shared among the boys right now. We'll get around those that are most affected and pay our respects where we can."
Wainui is survived by wife Paige, and children Kawariki and Arahia.
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