Cancer-stricken rugby star in court

Charged rugby star Kurtis Haiu with wife Frieda and Aaliyah, one of their two daughters. Photo / Supplied

Cancer-stricken Super 15 rugby star Kurtis Haiu appeared briefly at the Pukekohe District Court this morning to face assault charges.

Haiu is accused of assaulting a man, possessing a hammer and assaulting a woman.

The court appearance comes just over three weeks since he told his teammates he had bone cancer and would be taking indefinite leave from rugby.

Today he appeared briefly before a registrar where he was granted bail and is due to reappear next month.

Haiu, 26, was supported by manager Bruce Sharrock and wife Frieda.

Last month, tests revealed that Haiu had bone cancer. The lock had felt intermittent pain around a rib for months but attributed it to the contact nature of rugby.

When the pain worsened and became more frequent, he had specialist blood testing and x-rays, resulting in a tumour being discovered on his rib.

Last week it was revealed he had been given a 65 per cent chance of surviving, after further testing discovered he had an unusual form of cancer.

Haiu has played 75 games for the Blues.

He married wife Frieda in January and the couple have two young daughters.

Haiu, from Whangarei, represented New Zealand at secondary schools, under-19 and under-21 level before beginning his professional rugby career.

He played his first game for Auckland in 2005 against the touring British and Irish Lions, and took the field for the Blues for the first time the year after.