{"id":309191,"date":"2025-11-26T04:39:07","date_gmt":"2025-11-26T04:39:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/309191\/"},"modified":"2025-11-26T04:39:07","modified_gmt":"2025-11-26T04:39:07","slug":"cameron-suafoa-to-return-to-blues-in-2026-amid-cancer-rehab","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/309191\/","title":{"rendered":"Cameron Suafoa to return to Blues in 2026 amid cancer rehab"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Blues<\/a> have announced that Maori All Blacks<\/a> flanker Cameron Suafoa<\/a> will return to the squad in 2026 while continuing his cancer rehab.<\/p>\n

The 27-year-old was told in March that the rare form of cancer he had previously suffered, Sarcoma, had reappeared, and another surgery would be needed to remove the new tumour.<\/p>\n

Taking to social media in May, Suafoa updated fans with the bad news, saying, \u201cRugby is once again on the back burner for me this year\u201d, while thanking friends, family, and the Blues for their support.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn March this year, I got the news nobody wants to hear, that my sarcoma is back,\u201d Suafoa wrote.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis last week, I\u2019ve undergone a massive surgery to resect another tumour and gained some metalware in the process.<\/p>\n

\u201cRugby is once again on the back burner for me this year, but I\u2019ll always be backing @bluesrugbyteam<\/a> and @harbourrugby.<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cA massive thank you to Andy Johnston, Christine Goh and Alpesh Patel for their dedicated care throughout this process, as well as the @sarcomafoundationnz.<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m also incredibly grateful for all the support I have felt through this journey from my friends, family and the Blues.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs always, health comes first and check on your people. In a bit xx\u201d<\/p>\n

Tuesday\u2019s news that Suafoa was returning to the rugby fold in 2026 was met with a heartwarming response from fans online, who flooded the club\u2019s post on social media with joyous comments.<\/p>\n

Suafoa was not initially named in the official Blues squad for 2026, nor the club\u2019s Wdier Training Group, but the squad announcement did mention him.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhile medically unable to play, Cameron Suafoa remains an important part of the Blues this season,\u201d the release said.<\/p>\n

Suafoa was granted a medical dispensation to be involved in the 2026 season.<\/p>\n

The Blues will also welcome back Ofa Tu\u2019ungafasi<\/a> in 2026, who played just the first four rounds of Super Rugby Pacific<\/a> in 2025 before suffering a neck injury. All Black lock Sam Darry<\/a> is also set for his first Super Rugby minutes since 2024\u2019s final victory over the Chiefs, having been sidelined with a shoulder injury to begin 2025.<\/p>\n