The Super Rugby community is mourning the death of Hurricanes halfback Nui Muriwai\u2019s wife Mereana aged 21.<\/p>\n
Mereana battled an extremely rare and aggressive form of ovarian cancer \u2014 small cell carcinoma of the ovary, hypercalcaemic type \u2014 and was believed to be the only known case in New Zealand.<\/p>\n
She died recently surrounded by her whanau (family), Wellington Rugby announced ahead of her funeral on Thursday.<\/p>\n
Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today Arrow<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cShe is remembered as a loving, thoughtful and fiercely supportive young wahine whose warmth uplifted everyone around her,\u201d the union said.<\/p>\n \u201cOur deepest aroha goes out to Nui, the whanau, and all who loved Mereana. Our rugby community stands firmly with you at this incredibly difficult time. Moe mai ra, Mereana.\u201d<\/p>\n Nui paid tribute at Mereana\u2019s funeral, saying she \u201cwill always have a special place in my heart\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cMereana, this past year you\u2019ve shown me what true courage, bravery, resilience, and grace looks like,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ve completely changed my perspective on life and I have become a better man.\u201d<\/p>\n Nui and Mereana married in October after learning her cancer had progressed.<\/p>\n \u201cMy husband,\u201d Mereana wrote alongside a series of photos from the day.<\/p>\n \u201cWords couldn\u2019t explain all the feelings that have been felt this past week and a bit. I love you into the afterlife.\u201d<\/p>\n Just five days later Mereana wrote that she had accepted her fate.<\/p>\n \u201cThere is simply nothing out there for me except for suffering from this cancer. I promise I have tried everything,\u201d she wrote in the gut-wrenching post.<\/p>\n \u201cThankyou for believing in me and all your messages. I guess these next months will be vague but this isn\u2019t meaning I\u2019m taking an easy way out.<\/p>\n \u201cI simply cannot handle the pain any more. It\u2019s spread and I\u2019ve been given short months. It\u2019s just so hard.\u201d<\/p>\n A fundraiser<\/a> launched as Mereana explored treatment options overseas raised more than $NZ83,000, while an auction supported by the Hurricanes added nearly $NZ50,000.<\/p>\n \u201cI have been given months. I do not believe I have months as this cancer hasn\u2019t been treated here in Aotearoa,\u201d she wrote on the page.<\/p>\n The Hurricanes mourned Mereana on Thursday.<\/p>\n \u201cThe wind that battles. The wind that fights. The wind that stands resolute,\u201d the club wrote.<\/p>\n \u201cThe cold wind of loss rests on our hearts as we mourn your loss, Mereana.<\/p>\n \u201cYour whanau here at the Hurricanes are devastated by the news.<\/p>\n \u201cAlthough we know you will still watch over Nui over there, please know we will still watch over him here.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Melbourne Cup winner shares health update on injured granddaughter<\/p>\n 2 min read<\/p>\n