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Cam Suafoa set for inspiring return with Blues after cancer treatment

01 May 2024

Cameron Suafoa of the Blues makes a break during the Super Rugby Pacific Quarter Final match between Blues and Waratahs at Eden Park, on June 09, 2023, in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)

All Blacks XV forward Cameron Suafoa is set for an incredible return to Super Rugby Pacific this weekend with the Blues after missing large parts of the season to undergo cancer treatment.

Suafoa, 25, shared a nine-minute video on social media last month which provided an honest insight into the New Zealander’s cancer journey since being diagnosed in November 2023.

Life’s bigger than rugby
In November 2023, Cameron Suafoa received some life changing news.
Hear his story. pic.twitter.com/teek9LvUPL
— The Blues (@BluesRugbyTeam) April 14, 2024

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The Blues enforcer started at lock in the round three loss to the Hurricanes in Wellington and flew over to Sydney to play the NSW Waratahs after underdoing treatment earlier that week.

But Suafoa, who completed radiation treatment for a cancerous tumor in his back in early April, is in line for his first Blues appearance since round four after being named to come off the pine against the Melbourne Rebels.

The Blues are coming off a miraculous last-gasp winner against the Queensland Reds in Brisbane, and the Aucklanders have stayed in the Sunshine State in the lead-up to their trip down south to Melbourne.

“It’s been good to connect as a group, take stock and get a decent training block under our belt in pleasant conditions here on the Sunshine Coast,” coach Vern Cotter said in a statement.

“A quick look at the Super Rugby table tells you all you need to know about the Rebels – they’ve won five matches this season and are well entrenched in the top eight.

“I was proud of how we didn’t panic and showed belief in each other against the Reds. We’ll need that same level of composure on Friday night against the Rebels if we want to compete.

“This competition is tough. I few want to maintain our spot near the top of the standings we have to perform on Friday before a run of home matches that will test us all over again.”

Head-to-Head

Last 5 Meetings

Wins

Draws

Wins

Average Points scored

First try wins

60%

Home team wins

20%

PJ Sheck has been named to debut for the Blues in a front-row that includes All Black Ofa Tu’ungafasi and the ever-reliable Ricky Riccitelli.

Captain Patrick Tuipulotu will pack down alongside Laghlan McWhannell in the middle row, while Anton Segner, Dalton Papali’i and Hoskins Sotutu are once the loose forwards trio for the Blues.

In the backs, Taufa Funaki and Harry Plummer will continue to develop their halves combination after being named to start once again this week.

AJ Lam and Rieko Ioane are the centre pairing, while Caleb Clarke returns to the starting side on the left wing. All Black Mark Tele’a will wear the No. 14 jersey and Cole Forbes is the Blues’ fullback.

If results go their way, the Blues could leapfrog the Hurricanes into first on the Super Rugby Pacific standings with a win at AAMI Park.

This clash is set to get underway at 9:35 pm (NZT) on Saturday.

Blues to take on Melbourne Rebels

Ofa Tu’ungafasi
Ricky Riccitelli
PJ Sheck*
Patrick Tuipulotu (c)
Laghlan McWhannell
Anton Segner
Dalton Papali’i
Hoskins Sotutu
Taufa Funaki
Harry Plummer
Caleb Clarke
AJ Lam
Rieko Ioane
Mark Tele’a
Cole Forbes

Replacements

Kurt Eklund
Joshua Fusitu’a
Marcel Renata
Sam Darry
Cam Suafoa
Sam Nock
Corey Evans
Bryce Heem

*debut

Players not considered: Finlay Christie, Stephen Perofeta, Zarn Sullivan, Rob Rush, Akira Ioane

Comments

1 Comment

Jen 381 days ago

This is awesome news. I hope he goes well.

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Comments on RugbyPass

Cantab 4 days ago

Teenager Braxton Sorensen-McGee reflects on dream Black Ferns debut

Although NZ won comfortably enough they weren’t always convincing and a better opposition may well have found them out. If our gun 7s players can translate their skills to the 15s game the team would have the ability to beat anyone. Need to be given the chance though.

4 Go to comments

James 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

And how do you see the Wallabies loosehead / Lion’s tighthead battle Nick?

37 Go to comments

dw 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Also interested in your thoughts on A Bell. Haven't noticed many scrum issues recently. He also seems to play 60 or so mins every game. A bit of a fan (even though he’s a tah..) but wondered if the Lions would target his scrummaging

37 Go to comments

dw 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

True. And you look at how the European coaches have got so much out of skelton and how much the local fans love him…and then some Oz fans will still say “he played poorly for the tahs I'm 2015!”

37 Go to comments

dw 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Thanks Nick but your headline has just jinxed us and reminded me of that night in 2013!

I love any analysis of the scrums such as the above. Cheers.

Allalatoa seems to be in good form and Nongorr appears to be able to hold his own? I think they will pick Tupou regardless of form. After Friday night I am concerned he could be sent off in the first five mins of the test though! He got too pumped up and hit a player high and was carded

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 4 days ago

'Most complacent selection decision you will ever see': Barrett benching slammed as Leinster knocked out

I watched the mainstream NZ pundits eg Mils Muliaina and they DID back NZ to win almost to a man.

Ireland will talk their team up as anyone would with the caveats we are playing the ABs and match was de facto 50:50, That is not the same as dismissing the opposition. EG After the quarter John Kirwan said he was sorry France didn’t win versus SA becuase a ‘France-NZ final would be perfect. (The semis had not even been played yet, England and Argentina completely dismissed! He didn’t even realize his own arrogance) NZ are not even aware of the arrogance they exude. Has no Kiwi politely asked the national team to take down the ‘Superstars and Humble Heroes’ boasting on the AB site? Its cringeworthy stuff. Do NZ really see themselves like this?

Note all this BS about Irish arrogance started just after NZs defeat in the 2022 series. Not a coincidence.

Also: this is Irish national TV. We will talk our team up as everyone does. We care too much about judgemental and thin skinned Kiwis getting offended.

91 Go to comments

JM 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Aussie rugby fans are obsessed with players they hate, for whatever reason.

Michael Hooper is another one, and the hatred only increased whenever he won John Eales medals or the two times he was nominated world player of the year.

I reckon it is because our forwards are technically and mentally weak they put it all on one player who they think should make way for the messiah.

Same for the general team performance and the hate put on players like White, Lolesio, and Foley who should be pulling rabbits out of the hat every play.

I reckon, if we had of had 5 players with Hooper’s desire and drive spread across the team (and especiallythe forwards), we wouldn’t have woken up in the bottom of the ditch.

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 4 days ago

'What he’s given to this club is nothing short of incredible'

He shouldn’t have been picked. Not physically able for the most intense matches notably in Twickenham last year. Giving him the captaincy was also a very short sighted decision then after RWC 2023. Ireland have a tendency to be a little too loyal, which can mean the team ages and the rebuild is bigger than should be.

Plenty of lads out there to fill that squad.

4 Go to comments

OJohn 4 days ago

Geoff Parling returns to Leicester as head coach

Hooray

0 Go to comments

Carlos 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

He was also a YC magnet.

37 Go to comments

Carlos 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Windsor-Faulkner-Price. 😊

37 Go to comments

Solenn Bonnet 4 days ago

Leinster cleanse palette with record URC scoreline against Zebre

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0 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Ah, the Pooler front row ! Most legendary in the history of the , I would think. Max Boyce helped…”Here we. here we, here we go, with the Pontypool front row.”

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Would not go as far as whole house in our family, but for me, yes, W1. Loved playing in the scrum, love watching now😀

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Yes, I see that article here on RP, Nick. That is good news that Schmidt is going to look at the o’seas players.

Yes, I would think you are right that LAR will qualify. On the same points as MP, but surely they are too good not to win this crunch game….could be tEnse for ROG in the stands though.

37 Go to comments

BC 4 days ago

Who would make it into a Women's British and Irish Lions starting XV?

I would pick Oifa Wafer at 6, put Aldcroft in the second row with Ward. I think Wafer is one of the few non-England players mentioned that would contend for a Red Rose shirt, the others being King and possibly Neve Jones. Conversely there are two English players mentioned, Sing and Venner, that probably won’t even make the Red Rose WC squad, let alone a Lions Tour. Still a lot can change in two years, watch out for Millie David.

1 Go to comments

Otagoman II 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Great article NB, thanks. I would like to know what is the reasoning why so many things are penalties in the scrum. Is it to do with safety or something else?

37 Go to comments

NB 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

👍