The former rugby coach of 15-year-old Morocco Tai killed after a police pursuit has described the young player as "fearless", "rugged" and supportive of his teammates.
Cori Paul, the teenager's former junior rugby coach at Horahora Club, in Whangarei, posted on Facebook following Monday's fatal crash in Auckland, saying it was sad to hear of his death.
He included a team photo with Morocco in the front row whispering a few words of encouragement in his teammate's ear.
![Morocco Tai, pictured in front row, whispering encouragement to his Hora Hora teammate, died in Auckland when his vehicle hit a tree during a police pursuit. PHOTO/Supplied](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/IR6ZZJP7VPXGO26KFZX6X3QR5M.jpg?auth=3e23337d43808e9a1b7e9ce0a22a63e2921f61774ddf81911f2fd9387e58f35a&width=16&height=12&quality=70&smart=true)