Kurtis Haiu in action for the Blues against the Chiefs earlier this season © Getty Images

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Blues lock Kurtis Haiu has been diagnosed with bone cancer.

Haiu, who is married with two daughters, received the news last Thursday when a CT scan revealed a primary cancerous bone tumour in his left rib. He had played with the illness for at least two months.

The 26-year-old, who made his debut for Auckland in 2005, had complained of sore ribs but thought he had sustained an injury through contact. He may now never play rugby again after 53 matches for the Blues and faces immediate surgery to remove the tumour.

Haiu will see a bone tumour specialist early next week for further tests, but will continue to train with his team to help him cope with the initial shock.

Blues coach Pat Lam and doctor Stephen Kara broke the news to Haiu, who attended the match against the Rebels last Friday night and told the team on Monday. Kara said it was too early to tell if the cancer was life-threatening.

"If I knew what type of tumour and cancer it was I would be able to get a much better idea of the prognosis," Kara said. "The problem is we don't know that until the specialist gets in there. "It is treatable. The first instance will be removing cancer and part of the rib and then any additional therapy is dictated by what the results of the tests show."

Lam said the club would rally round in support of Haiu. "Kurtis was strong for his wife, who was shocked at the time as well," Lam said. "Rugby is a great team sport where you rely on the guys next to you and that's what everyone conveyed to him, that we're here for him and he'll be in our prayers."

Captain Keven Mealamu admitted the team were struggling to come to terms with the news. "I know him quite personally and I can't think of anything worse," Mealamu said. "We're really hurting for him. It's tough because I don't know if we'll get to see him in the team again.

"I keep thinking back, he's someone that never complains. But to find out what it was and to realise it was that bad, it's amazing he's come through this long and been able to play with it."