Blues Captain dedicates Gordon Hunter Memorial Trophy to Kurtis Haiu - Rugby news
Blues captain, Keven Mealamu, has dedicated his team’s 10 – 15 win over the Highlanders to their team-mate Kurtis Haiu. The 27-year-old Blues lock was forced to take a leave from rugby for an indefinite period as he was diagnosed
with the bone cancer earlier in the week.
Haiu has not featured for the Blues during the Super XV and had joined the Auckland Blues during the 2006 Super Rugby competition. So far, he has made 53 appearances for Blues and has scored five tries. Initially he signed a two-year
contract with the Blues, which was later extended in 2008.
Kurtis Haiu was struggling with rib pain for the past several months. However, the pain was attributed to contact he sustained while playing Rugby. Later the intensity of the pain increased which prompted doctors to run more diagnostic
tests.
Blues team’s doctor Stephen Kara performed CT imaging on the Kurtis Haiu ribs couple of weeks back and confirmed the presence of the Lesion in the eighth left rib during the week. However, he was unsure about the type of the tumor,
He said, “"This appears to be a primary bone tumour but he will have to undergo a series of further tests including surgery to definitively confirm the type of tumour. Until this time prognosis is uncertain."
Kurtis Haiu made his provincial rugby debut for Auckland in 2005 while playing against the touring Irish and British Lions. Since 2005, he has made 75 provincial appearances. He considered as the one of experienced player in their
squad.
After their win earlier today, Blues captain was quick to dedicate the hard fought win to Haiu. He said, “Kurtis that was for you mate, the boys dug really deep,". Blues overcame the challenge of the Highlanders courtesy of the McAlister’s
five penalties in the match. This is their eighth win in the super rugby 2011 championship and helped them to retain the Gordon Hunter Memorial Trophy.
Kurtis has also represented New Zealand at Secondary Schools Level, Under-19 Level and Under-21 level before he began his professional rugby career.
Blues lock is due to meet with a Bone Tumour Specialist during the next week to further discuss his case. Blues coach Pat Lam has assured his and his teams support for him during this testing time. He said, “So for now, Kurtis is
in our prayers and we will rally around him and his family to provide friendship and support at this difficult time”.
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