1
Cam Suafoa set for inspiring return with Blues after cancer treatment
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
“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
1
Draws
0
Wins
4
Average Points scored
16
45
First try wins
80%
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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
The Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 is coming to England. Register now here to be the first to hear about tickets.
Comments on RugbyPass
Good article, NB. I’ve quite liked the speed and skill levels of Tom Ahern from Munster. I read he was a fullback until late in schools rugby and suddenly shot up to 6 foot 9. Another guy born in 2000 who seems to be able to play out in trams on both sides of the ball is Juan Martin Gonzalez of Saracens. Thanks for the article.
46 Go to commentsShould not even be in the thought to bring Barrett back,the team is going well and remember 2 season ago when the blues were going well & got out thought & out played in the final all Barrett did was needlessly kick away posession again and again, pass to players in worse positions as to avoid contact and for the Blues and AB proved costly in crucial games.
1 Go to commentsBarbarians will be preparing for fiji starting end of this week but fiji will be preparing only 1 week b4 the game…..so unfair
1 Go to commentsI believe it was the Wallaby Nick White who opened the floodgates - earning his team a yellow card against SA and getting Faf binned for 10. Nick White. The original soft pr1ck, diving git. Owen Farrell is growing on me.
2 Go to commentsTo be honest this result was not that seismic as shock, Canada are a very good team and very few teams fear the Black Ferns anymore. The rankings give a good picture, the top four ranked teams are the top four teams in women’s rugby with England ahead the other three can exchange places at any given time. Despite the USA result I still think Australia are ahead of the rest. WXV will show how big the gap is between nations.
9 Go to commentsFarrell playing in France next season better get use to play acting .
3 Go to commentsNot sure I see the magic. Solid flanker but the aggression and lack of bending at the hips leads to boo boos
5 Go to comments100%. Thank you, Andy.
2 Go to commentsFabulous player. Don’t know if people outside of Ireland appreciate his vision and genius. I wish he got more time with the National team. We will never know how high he could have soared. Super season to end with!
1 Go to commentsIf he's playing well enough to be in the top 2 or 3 open sides, then pick him. Essentially nothing else should come into it.
1 Go to commentsBe really surprised if Beale is considered for a WB squad, let alone a match day 23. Feel there are too many younger players in all positions in the backline now who should be developed. These upcoming games this year should be used to develop the players of the future, for building towards next RWC.
2 Go to commentsI think this all came from Fozzie immediately anointing Cane as captain when he became coach, well ahead of when any team was to be named. Then he seemingly felt unable to retract the captaincy as that would have been an admission he was wrong initially. Sam Cane was a good AB and a good captain. Through his injuries and some loss of form he maybe didn't deserve selection but Fozzie couldn't ever make that hard call which led to Cane copping it.
5 Go to commentsThe extra weight that Fraser put on over the off season is really showing. The word is 7/8 kgs heavier than last year. Feel he is now carrying into contact a lot more powerfully, which makes him a bigger threat playing in the sh position at lineout time. I do feel however that he is still too easily moved off the ball at the breakdown unless he is in really early. Comparing him to the top current guys such as Tommy Refell, and past supremos like Pocock and McCaw, I would hope he will develop more in that area. The rest of his game is way out front. His speed around the field as a support player is top notch, and his defence is very sound, apart from the front on tackle on the bigger men sometimes. I also would see him as a future WB captain. He does a lot of quiet encouraging, and for sure can lead from the front. Of the other three NZ lads on the stats. table, would think it may be Papalli’i who gets in. I do like Lakai. Is Blackadder not more a 6/8 player ? Actually really rated Lachlan Boshier, but he was not ever getting anywhere, so now in Japan. Would love to have seen how he went in a AB jersey. Excellent article, Nick…….most thought provoking
46 Go to commentsAhh too many OK 7’s out there at the moment, would have loved to have Harmon (and Boshier from Panasonic) included on that list (although I don’t know what I’m looking at with those stats!). I would love to see another 7 come through like Cane (who VdF has molded off), who was a real attacking machine before his neck injury and inability to turn his head/upper body to pass or catch properly forced his style to change. No sure McReight is it, he looks more like a canny McCaw than the blasters Hooper and Cane were. The real issue is what use can Schmidt mold out of his ability and skills in just two short seasons. I think Cale could do a lot of the more skillful stuff. McReight is probably best to knuckle down and do the core duties a modern day Cane performs for the other two loosies (if he’s the best Schmidt has to play with at 7).
46 Go to commentsI’ve little doubt that England is comfortably the No 1 team and not only beat other teams but beat them easily. Not so sure about France. They should be No 2 after winning 3 of last 4 matches against NZ and only a straightforward missed kick prevented it from being 4 out of 4. However, then they inexplicably lost to Canada and Wallaroos in WXV. I thought the NZ match was their “cup final” and they took the others lightly, but they were not particularly impressive in 6N except in flashes. I think they have stood still whilst Canada and England have moved forward but I don't think Canada has the depth and their team is ageing. I agree NZ not moving forward. What will be interesting is how the Wallaroos fare against NZ and then again in their September match against Ireland and then in WXV2 against other 6N teams. I was surprised they lost to USA.
9 Go to commentsI don't know why peoplenare upset here. If foreign fans think they are poor for their clubs and back it up with stats then it's probably true. Snyman would have been a legend in the NH if he was fit though. He just transforms Munster into a winning machine. Pollard is 100% the most disappointing one and his win rate outside world cups gives a good indicator. For all his clubs his average win rate is around 52%, inbetween world cups for the Boks it's 55%. Compared to other elite flyhalves who have 70%+ win rates for their clubs. If anything Manie is a far better investment if you looking for a flyhalf given that when he is on the pitch teams on average win 76% of games.
71 Go to commentsWhich captains were not human?
5 Go to commentsIt left him open to savage sledging most memorably POMs ‘Sh1t McCaw’ comment which prompted a national NZ meltdown. Cane was later substituted in that game. He had some redemption in the RWC quartfinal against Ireland but unfortunately he will be remembered for torpedo-ing his team with that red card in the final with NZ already 12-3 down.
5 Go to commentsThere should be a smaller number of teams cut off to play finals after the regular season, of course. However, with all due respect, the Crusaders aren’t playing well enough to even make that cut. They may have a late rally, if they can get some key players back from injury, but this is still a speculation as it stands. They will still have to rely on other results going their way too - their season is now entirely out of their control.
10 Go to comments1 week for two cynical and dirty plays? Absolutely pathetic punishment. He should’ve at least received 2 weeks - 1 week per trip. The guy is a cheating moron and liability. He should go back to league.
2 Go to comments