Sawt Falasteen - Blues rugby player retires after terminal cancer diagnosis

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Blues rugby player retires after terminal cancer diagnosis / Photo: MICHAEL BRADLEY - AFP

Blues rugby player retires after terminal cancer diagnosis

SPORTS 02.04.2026

Auckland Blues forward Cameron Suafoa announced his retirement from rugby aged 27 on Friday, after receiving a terminal cancer diagnosis.

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Suafoa was first diagnosed with cancer in November 2023 and received six weeks of radiation treatment after a tumour was removed from his back.

He returned to rugby in 2024, playing for provincial side North Harbour, before returning to the Blues in Super Rugby last year.

Suafoa received a second cancer diagnosis at the end of the Blues' 2025 season.

"I've decided to finish playing rugby officially, decided to retire, the unfortunate news that my cancer had spread and it was terminal now," Suafoa said in a video released by the Blues rugby team.

"I will be going through a different type of battle soon so I start having chemo in the coming days."

Suafoa, who played as a lock and flanker, played one match for the Maori All Blacks in 2022.

H.Nasr--SF-PST

Sawt Falasteen - Blues rugby player retires after terminal cancer diagnosis

Blues rugby player retires after terminal cancer diagnosis

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