The partner of Blues forward Cameron Suafoa has shared a touching video of the cancer-stricken star celebrating his team’s come-from-behind win over the Chiefs from his hospital bed.
Blues replacement lock Josh Beehre scored the 84th-minute, match-winning try, which saw the defending champions claim a 20-19 win and advance tothe Super Rugby Pacific semifinals.
Suafoa couldn’t be out on the field or in the stands, instead watching the match from his hospital bed.
His partner, Britt Hastings-Kutty, posted a video on Instagram showing Suafoa celebrating as Beehre scored the game-winning try.
Shockingly, Suafoa continued training and even played twice for the Blues while undergoing radiation treatment for six weeks between February and April in 2024.
He was declared cancer-free in May last year. He played a total of six games in the Blues’ title-winning season and went on to represent the Māori All Blacks.
But in March, Suafoa said he’d “got the news nobody wants to hear” – that his cancer had come back and he underwent more surgery.
He had played seven times during the season before having to step away.
Despite the loss, the Chiefs still advance to the semifinals and will host the Brumbies for a spot in the final.
The Blues will meet the Crusaders on Friday night in Christchurch.
Ben Francis is an Auckland-based reporter for the New Zealand Herald who covers breaking sports news.
