Rugby community rallies behind Christian Leali’ifano after leukaemia diagnosis

This is horrible news.

Christian Leali'ifano has been diagnosed with leukaemia after a brief illness. The New Zealand-born Wallabies international is just 28 years of age and had played 19 test games for Australia since making his debut in 2013 where he shone against the Lions in that series, despite his first game lasting less than a minute. Brumbies interim chief executive Phil Thomson sent the clubs thoughts and prayers to an "amazing young man".

"At the moment it's just a matter of ensuring Christian receives the best care and support he can at this time," he said. "He is one of the most respected players within this group and this news has come as a huge shock to all of our players, coaches and staff. "Everyone knows that Christian is an amazing young man, an important member of this team and of the Canberra community. "Our thoughts and prayers are with Christian and his family at this time."

https://twitter.com/BrumbiesRugby/status/761725449487552513 Some of his Australian team mates and friends heard the news from Rio ahead of the Olympics Rugby Sevens. The entire community though wasted no time in joining the Brumbies in solidarity to rally behind a fantastic servant of the game. A fine rugby player, a fine man, a family man whose son son Jeremih was only born in June. https://twitter.com/UlsterRugby/status/761841354485956608 https://twitter.com/leinsterrugby/status/761835328625860608 https://twitter.com/pocockdavid/status/761744511441567745 https://twitter.com/FaingaaTwins/status/761747289563987968 https://twitter.com/TimHoran12/status/761746535361024000 https://twitter.com/giteau_rugby/status/761746983837011968 https://twitter.com/jeanpierresmit1/status/761781388462985217 https://twitter.com/Nabasboer/status/761820832616292353 https://twitter.com/GPRUGBYCEO/status/761842701792706561 https://twitter.com/DanCarter/status/761817766018023425 https://twitter.com/IzzyFolau/status/761795736321138688 https://twitter.com/SuperRugbyNZ/status/761750807108685824 https://twitter.com/andyfriend2011/status/761731433106780165 https://twitter.com/sam_armytage/status/761728438277287936 https://twitter.com/brache87/status/761762892597211136 https://twitter.com/tanaumaga/status/761762251384598532 https://twitter.com/benntaps/status/761737826102747136 https://twitter.com/qantaswallabies/status/761736410810298368 https://twitter.com/AllBlacks/status/761762363167035393 Kia Kaha. Be strong. Listen to The GAA Hour football podcast with Colm Parkinson featuring Michael Murphy. Subscribe here on iTunes.  https://soundcloud.com/sportsjoe-gaa-hour/michael-murphy-on-enjoying-the-game-duffys-flawed-proposal