A New Zealand rugby player died one day after marrying the love of his life, international media report.

Navar Herbert, 22, suffered from cancer which was diagnosed nine months ago, cutting short his promising career.

Herbert married Maia Falwasser in the presence of relatives and friends, and his one-year-old son Kyrie.

Visibly weak as he took his vows on a wheelchair, Navar watched his colleagues perform the famous New Zealand rugby dance during the reception.

“It is a sad day,” his wife wrote on the day of his death. “I have lost my best friend, my husband and the father of my child.