Wallabies utility back Christian Lealiifano has been diagnosed with leukaemia and is undergoing treatment, his Super Rugby club said today. "Following a brief illness, investigations have indicated that Christian Lealiifano has been diagnosed with leukaemia and is currently in hospital for further management," the Brumbies said on Saturday. The Wallabies open their Rugby Championship defence against world champions New Zealand in Sydney on August 20 . The 28-year-old, who can play flyhalf or inside centre, was a notable absentee from the Wallabies squad for the Rugby Championship named on Friday. The Brumbies' interim chief executive Phil Thomson said the diagnosis had been a shock to the team, who made the quarter-finals of this year's Super Rugby competition before losing to the Highlanders.

Source: Otago Daily Times August 06, 2016 01:52 UTC