Blues forward Cameron Suafoa told his cancer is terminal

Source: Radio New Zealand

Blues forward Cameron Suafoa has shared heartbreaking news.

In a video released overnight by the Blues, Suafoa, who’s just 27, has announced he won’t play again after receiving the worst possible update on his ongoing battle with cancer.

“I just wanted to give you a little bit of an update on my situation,” he said.

“I’ve decided to finish playing rugby officially, decided to retire, (with) the unfortunate news that my cancer had spread and it was terminal now.”

Suafoa was first diagnosed in November 2023 with high-grade sarcoma, a form of cancer in his connective tissue, and underwent six weeks of radiation treatment after an operation removed a malignant tumour in his back.

But following a successful recovery, he returned to rugby, playing and captaining North Harbour in the NPC in 2024, before securing a spot back in the Blues for the 2025 Super Rugby season, becoming a regular starter.

But after a second cancer diagnosis, he was forced to sit out the 2025 NPC season.

He will continue to fight.

“I will be going through a different type of battle soon so I start having chemo in the coming days,” he said.

Suafoa, who was born and raised in Auckland. ended up playing 31 games for the Blues, while also having stints with Tasman and Auckland in NPC rugby.

He played one game for the Maori All Blacks in 2022.

“It was everything,” he said.

“It was defInitely the best job in the world. There is nowhere else you can sit with your work colleagues, have a yarn, and go out with everyone working towards a same goal.

“There’s not too many workplaces that feel like it’s a family …. and defintely will miss it.”

The Blues said they would continue to send all their love, thoughts and support to Suafoa, his wife Britt and the rest of his whānau.

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand