Suafoa takes break from rugby to battle cancer

Blues forward hopes to resume his career ultimately

LONDON:

Auckland Blues forward Cameron Suafoa has stepped away from rugby to focus on treatment for cancer after months of juggling his health issue with his sporting career.

The 25-year-old flanker did not reveal the type of cancer but said in a video on social media that he had been diagnosed last November.

 "I can't really pronounce the name of it. But I had a tumour taken out at the end of last year and currently been going through some radiation the last month and a bit," he said.

Suafoa played against the Wellington Hurricanes in Super Rugby Pacific last month during his second week of radiation therapy and faced the New South Wales Waratahs the following week. However, he said the fatigue had become too much to continue playing rugby.

"In the mornings I’m pretty good, I’ve just woken up so I’m usually full of energy. But after 12(p.m.) or one (p.m.), that’s when I’m usually on the decline fatigue-wise," he added. Suafoa said he was trying to remain positive and ultimately hoped to resume his career. Several top rugby players have overcome cancer to return to the game.

Former Australia flyhalf Christian Lealiifano was diagnosed with leukaemia in 2016 but returned to test rugby in 2019 and continues to play for Moana Pasifika.

Former New Zealand flyhalf Aaron Cruden was diagnosed with testicular cancer as a 19-year-old but went on to play 50 tests for the All Blacks.