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Leali’ifano back on pitch less than year from leukemia fight

Related Topics: Leukemia, Brumbies

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) Christian Leali’ifano could make a return to Super Rugby in time for the ACT Brumbies’ playoff campaign, less than a year after being diagnosed with leukemia.

The 29-year-old inside back played the last 30 minutes of the Brumbies’ exhibition match against the Asia-Pacific Dragons on Thursday night in Singapore.

Leali’ifano was told last August that he had cancer, had a bone marrow transplant in November and was told he was in remission in February.

Assistant coach Dan McKellar – who will take over at the Brumbies next year from Stephen Larkham – said Leali’ifano hadn’t missed a beat during his time out of the game.