5. Kurtis Haiu, aged 31
The former Auckland and Blues rugby player Kurtis Haiu has passed away after a prolonged battle with cancer in April 2016.
Haiu was in 2011 diagnosed with a Ewings Sarcoma in his rib, a rare and lethal form of bone cancer. The lock had been suffering rib pain for several months but initially attributed it to a rugby injury.
The pain, however, became more frequent and further tests revealed a lesion on his eighth rib and caused Haiu to take indefinite leave from rugby.
The disease eventually ended his promising career and, after undergoing intensive chemotherapy, he decided to cease conventional treatment due to the extreme side-effects. He also sought alternative treatment in Switzerland but was unable to overcome the disease.
6. Dylan Mika, aged 45
Mika, who played seven tests for the All Blacks and two for Samoa, died of a heart attack in March 2018.
Mika was New Zealand-born but played his first two internationals for Samoa, in 1994. He stood down for three years to enable him to be eligible for selection for the All Blacks and played seven tests as a loose forward for New Zealand – all in 1999.
His first test as an All Black was against Samoa, who were captained by his cousin, Pat Lam. He gained selection in the World Cup squad, starting in the match against Italy and scoring a try. He also came on as a replacement against South Africa in the plate match.