Former Blues player Kurtis Haiu dies

[Tim]

<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11621889'>http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11621889</a></p>
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<p>Former Auckland and Blues rugby player Kurtis Haiu has passed away after a prolonged battle with cancer. He was 31.</p>
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<p>Haiu, who played 53 times for the Blues between 2006 and 2011, died in hospice care in Manurewa. He leaves behind two young daughters.</p>

[KiwiMurph]

<p>Tragic. So young. His poor family. I used to give him a lot of crap on here in his early days but his career was really turning a corner right about when he had to give up rugby. </p>

[Tim]

<p>Much better player than Moli.</p>

[Virgil]

Fuck that's too young.

[ACT Crusader]

<p>He was a very good player for Auckland in particular in 2007 when they won the title. He was part of a very good locking trio of him, Flavell and Jay Williams. Didn't quite kick on in super rugby.</p>

[taniwharugby]

<p>Wow, far too young!</p>
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<p>RIP big fella.</p>

[Canes4life]

<p>RIP Kurtis. </p>

[Stargazer]

<p>Horrible disease. Only 31. I feel for his young family ... RIP</p>

[aucklandwarlord]

<p>I was just thinking about him the other day and wondering how his treatment was going. Awful for his family. Wasn't he ripped off by some scummy property developer to the tune of 300K a few years back as well?</p>

[No Quarter]

<p>Way too young and really feel for his family. RIP.</p>

[MN5]

<p>RIP. A busy, physical player back in the day who "played above his weight" to use an awful cliché.</p>

[jegga]

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="aucklandwarlord" data-cid="571886" data-time="1460518071"><p>
I was just thinking about him the other day and wondering how his treatment was going. Awful for his family. Wasn't he ripped off by some scummy property developer to the tune of 300K a few years back as well?</p></blockquote>
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The property dealer sounds like a similar arsehole to Jonahs father in law but I don't think he did anything illegal <br><a class="bbc_url" href="http://i.stuff.co.nz/national/5005501/Accused-rugby-players-property-nightmare">http://i.stuff.co.nz/national/5005501/Accused-rugby-players-property-nightmare</a>

[jegga]

Wasn't he eligible for France too? Damn shame at only 31with two young kids.

[JC]

<p>Poor bloke. I feel very sorry for his young family.</p>
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<p>RIP</p>

[antipodean]

<p>Never a good age to die from cancer, but 31 with a young family is way too young. RIP</p>

[sparky]

<p>RIP, gone too soon.</p>

[MN5]

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="jegga" data-cid="571907" data-time="1460521040">
<div>
<p>The property dealer sounds like a similar arsehole to Jonahs father in law but I don't think he did anything illegal<br><a class="bbc_url" href="http://i.stuff.co.nz/national/5005501/Accused-rugby-players-property-nightmare">http://i.stuff.co.nz/national/5005501/Accused-rugby-players-property-nightmare</a></p>
</div>
</blockquote>
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<p>Was the contract for Japan signed and sealed though ? Obviously a season there could get damn near anyone out of a financial situation but one assumes he had a few offers, hadn't decided and then the moment he got diagnosed she was all over. Real shame especially for the kids.</p>

[Gunner]

Just saw this on the news, very sad. Taken far far too early, RIP.

[African Monkey]

<p>Very sad news RIP Kurtis Haiu</p>

[Dice]

<p>Tragic news. At some point every year, I'd wonder how he'd be going, so to hear this news just sucks.</p>
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<p>I was a fan. He was pretty good in his last couple of years for the Blues. Busy, tough, physical and money at the front of the line-out is how I'd describe him as a player.</p>
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<p>RIP, big fella.</p>