Kurtis Haiu 1984 -2016 #RIP

Kurtis Haiu 1984 -2016

Former Blues Super Rugby player Kurtis Haiu has died from a rare form of cancer, aged 31. Haiu played 53 games for the Blues between 2006 and 2011 and 75 for provincial club Auckland before retiring because of a rare form of bone cancer.

“The Blues family are deeply saddened by this news. Several of our players were close to Kurt and have spent time with him over the past weeks and months,” Blues chief executive Michael Redman said on behalf of the team’s players and management.

He said the franchise would discuss an official response on Thursday. The Rugby Players Association said Haiu had tried a variety of treatments for the cancer, Ewings Sarcoma, including alternative treatment in Switzerland and surgery.

Blues Captain Jerome Kaino said Haiu’s battle with cancer was characteristically brave. “I loved playing footy with Kurtis and I will treasure those memories of my Blues brother and pray that he rests in peace,” he said.

Haiu also represented New Zealand at the under-19 and under-21 levels and played for Auckland’s Marist Rugby Club. “It is with great sadness that we inform our Marist Family of the passing on of a Marist son, Kurtis Haiu. No doubt there will be more said about you Kurtis and your devotion to our beloved club but for now, we just bid you farewell,” the club posted on its Facebook page.

Tributes are already flowing in social media, including from former All Black Keven Mealamu who tweeted: “Rest well my Brother, Much Love and Blessing”.

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Jonah Tali Lomu 1975 - 2015

New Zealand rugby union great Jonah Lomu has died aged 40.

Lomu, who scored 37 tries in 63 matches for New Zealand between 1994 and 2002, had been diagnosed with a rare and serious kidney condition by 1996.

It forced him to quit the game and he had a kidney transplant in 2004, but the organ stopped functioning in 2011.

"Jonah was a legend of our game and loved by his many fans both here and around the world," said New Zealand Rugby chief executive Steve Tew.

"We're lost for words and our heartfelt sympathies go out to Jonah's family."

Family spokesman John Mayhew told New Zealand television that Lomu's death was "totally unexpected" and that he had only arrived back from the UK on Tuesday, after spending time there for the Rugby World Cup.

New Zealand Prime Minister John Key said: "The thoughts of the entire country are with his family."

Speaking to the BBC, New Zealand Sports Minister Jonathan Coleman said Lomu "was the first global rugby superstar".

He was a "huge inspiration to Polynesian men and actually in later years with his battles against kidney disease, very inspirational to people suffering from chronic diseases as well", he said.

Lomu is survived by his wife Nadene and two sons.

Jonah Lomu scored 43 All Blacks tries, including four against England in the 1995 World Cup semi-final

The son of Tongan immigrants, Lomu made his Test debut in 1994 against France in Christchurch.

As well as playing for several domestic teams in his homeland, he made 10 appearances for Cardiff Blues in Wales between 2005 and 2006, shortly before his retirement.

Despite never winning the World Cup, he is the joint top try-scorer in its history - alongside South Africa wing Bryan Habana, scoring 15 tries in 11 games.

He was at his best at the 1995 and 1999 World Cups, terrifying defensive lines with his speed and size - 192 cm tall (6 feet 4 inches) and weighing about 119 kilograms (18 stone 10 pounds).

In a memorable match against England in the 1995 semi-final, he bulldozed several players and ran straight over the top of full-back Mike Catt on his way to a try.

His performance in that tournament has been widely credited with helping attract the major commercial deals that enabled the sport to enter the professional era.

But a rare kidney condition, nephrotic syndrome, hampered his career. A later transplant was rejected by his body in 2011.

After news of his death broke, former New Zealand captain Sean Fitzpatrick tweeted: "Our thoughts are with the Jonah Lomu family tonight. A very special person."

All Blacks World Cup winner Dan Carter tweeted: "I still can't believe the sad news. Love and thoughts go out to Jonah's family."

And former Wales fly-half Jonathan Davies said: "Can't believe that Jonah Lomu has passed away. Was with him and his wife and family for an evening last month.

"So sad, life is so cruel. RIP Jonah you were a true legend and a gentleman. You changed the game of rugby and will be sorely missed. My thoughts are with your family."

#RIP 

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Carter Wins Player of the Year

The New Zealand fly-half Dan Carter has followed up his man-of-the-match performance in the World Cup final by being crowned World Rugby Player of the Year for 2015.

Carter, who kicked 19 points including a marvellous drop-goal in the 34-17 victory over Australia at Twickenham on Saturday, has been recognised with the game’s most prestigious individual award for a third time, a mark also held by his captain, Richie McCaw.

The 33-year-old beat his team-mate Julian Savea, Australia’s flanker Michael Hooper and No8 David Pocock, the Wales lock Alun Wyn Jones and Scotland scrum-half Greig Laidlaw to the accolade.

New Zealand were inevitably named team of the year after becoming the first nation to defend the Webb Ellis Cup, triumphing for an unprecedented third time.

Michael Cheika was recognised as coach of the year after inheriting an Australia squad that was beset by disciplinary problems 12 months ago before turning them into World Cup runners-up.

New Zealand wing Nehe Milner-Skudder was named breakthrough player of the year.

The winners were selected by an independent panel of judges, chaired by Australia’s 1999 World Cup-winning captain, John Eales, and made up of former internationals, media and the current tournament’s participating teams.

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