Cameron Suafoa back for Auckland Blues after cancer scare

English Woman's Journal - Cameron Suafoa back for Auckland Blues after cancer scare

SPORTS 01.05.2024

Cameron Suafoa back for Auckland Blues after cancer scare / Photo: William WEST - AFP/File

Lock Cameron Suafoa is to return for the Auckland Blues on Friday for the first time since finishing radiation treatment for cancer in early April.

Change text size:

The 26-year-old has spent large parts of the current Super Rugby season on the sidelines while he was being treated after a tumour was removed from his back late last year.

He is on the bench for Friday's match at the Melbourne Rebels. He last played in mid-March before announcing a fortnight ago that he was taking a break to focus on his recovery.

"Cam wasn't missing a beat at training," Blues flanker Dalton Papali'i told reporters Wednesday.

"He's shown a lot of resilience and courage coming back into the fold. All the boys are around him and I know Cam is keen to get stuck in."

Suafua has already played this season, despite his cancer scare. He was a fortnight into radiation treatment when he started in the defeat against Super Rugby leaders Wellington Hurricanes on March 9.

He made his 20th Super Rugby appearance a week later as a replacement in a win at the Waratahs in Sydney, a day after one of his weekly radiation treatments.

Suafoa was first diagnosed last year and posted a video to social media platform X in April to say he was stepping back from playing because of fatigue from his treatment.

"You talk about tough bastards in sport -- but seeing what Cam's gone through shows true courage," Papali'i added. "I look up to him."

The Blues are second in the Super Rugby table a point behind leaders the Hurricanes, who they face in Auckland on May 11.

N.Steward--EWJ

Paul George Scores 36 as Celtics Defeat Sixers 123-101 to Take East Lead

The Boston Celtics claimed first place in the Eastern Conference on Tuesday night, defeating the Philadelphia 76ers 123-101 at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Paul George led all scorers with 36 points in his return to Philadelphia, while a decisive third-quarter run extended Boston's lead and dropped the Sixers to second place.

Mets President David Stearns Expresses Confidence in Marcus Semien's Motivation

New York Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns has identified Marcus Semien’s self-motivation as the primary factor in his potential recovery from an underwhelming debut season. Speaking at the general managers meetings in Las Vegas, Stearns affirmed that the team remains confident in Semien’s ability to improve, even as they evaluate other infield options for next year.

FA Cup Second-Round Draw Confirmed for Non-League and Midlands Clubs

The FA Cup second-round draw has been finalized, setting up crucial ties for non-league teams aiming to reach the third round proper. Several clubs from the Midlands, including Burton Albion and Kidderminster Harriers, have secured their next opponents following recent victories over lower-league opposition.

Panthers expected to begin 2027 NRL season away from new stadium

The new Penrith Stadium is expected to be ready in time for the opening round of the 2027 NRL season, but it’s still likely the Panthers is expected to be on the road for their early matches. There is no delay to the build of the new $309 million venue but there’s a lack of appetite for risk around weather delays through the summer.