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Blues forward Cameron Suafoa has announced his retirement from rugby following a terminal cancer diagnosis.
The Maori All Black was first diagnosed with sarcoma – a rare form of cancer found in connective tissue – in November 2023, and has been in and out of rugby in the years since, playing in the last of his 31 Blues games in round 10 of the 2025 season.
When announcing the club’s 2026 squad, the Blues added, “While medically unable to play, Cameron Suafoa remains an important part of the Blues this season.”
On Thursday evening, the Blues posted a video on social media in which Suafoa shared the heartbreaking update on his health journey.
“I’ve decided to finish playing rugby, officially,” Suafoa said in a sit-down interview reflecting on his time with the club.
“I was told the unfortunate news that my cancer had spread and it was now terminal. So, unfortunately, I won’t be playing; I’ll be going through a different type of battle soon.”
The post was met with an outpouring of support from across the New Zealand rugby community.
An All Blacks XV representative in 2023 before his diagnosis, Suafoa remained with the Blues whilst undergoing radiotherapy, training, and even playing for the club early in the 2024 season. A seven-week absence then concluded with the revelation that he was cancer-free. Suafoa went on to feature in four more contests off the bench as the Auckland club took home the title.
Suafoa then opened the 2025 season with four starts and three showings off the bench, before it was revealed his cancer had returned and he would need to step back from rugby to focus on therapy.
A nine-hour surgery followed, in which a tumour was removed, along with three ribs.
Suafoa married his long-term partner, Britt, earlier this year, and has become an advocate for sarcoma awareness, all while continuing to support the Blues.
Just 26. So tragic ..so unfair
Such sad news. Had a big game against the B&I Lions and then had to deal with a line of injuries - which now pale in comparison to this diagnosis. Be open to alternatives brother. Grace and strength for the road ahead.
Feel for the big man, where still dreaming for you though! Battle hard.
Heartbreaking .. stay strong!
Horrible - thoughts go out to Cameron S. - Sometimes life seems very unfair, but keep fighting the horrible C.
Think, can say, in the thoughts of all Rugby fans!
Kia Kaha Cameron!
Extremely sad situation.
Much love to the brutha and his whanau
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