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Cameron Suafoa, utility forward for the Blues and Maori All Blacks, announces his retirement after a terminal cancer diagnosis. The shocking news comes from the Auckland franchise through an official video. Suafoa, 27, was diagnosed in November 2023 with high-grade sarcoma, a cancer affecting his connective tissue. Following surgery to remove a malignant tumor from his back, he underwent six weeks of radiation treatment.
After recovering, he returned to play for North Harbour in the 2024 New Zealand National Provincial Championship (NPC) and later represented the Blues in 2025. However, his health took a turn when he received a second cancer diagnosis after the Blues' Super Rugby Pacific season concluded in 2025.
“I’ve decided to finish playing rugby officially,” Suafoa states. “The unfortunate news is that my cancer has spread and it is terminal now.” He prepares for chemotherapy in the coming days.
Suafoa began his NPC career with Auckland in 2019, later moving to Tasman, and finally joining North Harbour in 2022. He played three matches for the Maori All Blacks, debuting against Ireland in 2022. Suafoa reflects on his rugby career, saying, “It was definitely the best job in the world.”
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