Queensland Reds rookie Nick Conway is cancer-free and back on the field after being diagnosed with testicular cancer during his final year of school. He said there was a three-week period of uncertainty before surgery, after which he was told it was rare and aggressive.
Conway, the son of former Brisbane Broncos player Bob Conway, said the diagnosis came as a complete shock despite being in peak physical condition.
"In grade 12, I was diagnosed with testicular cancer," Conway told this masthead. "It was an absolute shock, I was as fit as a fiddle and in really good nick – I had no idea this could happen to a healthy person."
The cancer was discovered after he sustained a hit to the area in a Reds under-18s game in 2024. He received scans and had surgery, and is now cancer-free, returning to the field just eight weeks later.
His battles were not over. An MRI revealed he had been playing with cracked ribs suffered scoring a try in round two of Nudgee College's season, and later a mysterious back issue kept him sidelined, eventually diagnosed as chronic back pain.
Conway credited the Reds' support, led by then-coach Les Kiss and general manager of rugby Sam Cordingley, as a reason he chose union over rugby league. "I was tempted by some of the league things, but the Reds provided me with so much care through some tough times. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else," he said.
He also said his father pushed him towards union because he was grateful for how the Reds supported his son. The 19-year-old fullback-winger is now on the Reds' off-season tour to Japan and Italy where he will compete with Treyvon Pritchard for the No.15 jumper vacated by Jock Campbell.
"The leg's coming along well, we've progressed to running over the last two weeks, and with the tour, we're hoping to progress a bit faster and maybe catch a game towards the back end," Pritchard said.
Conway believes his challenges have made him stronger. "All those dark times and tough situations I feel like have happened for a reason and made me stronger. It just opened my eyes to that there are more important things than rugby, and just to be grateful for every opportunity you get," he said.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- Conway's story highlights the resilience required of young athletes facing life-threatening illness while pursuing professional sport.
- It underscores the role of club support systems in retaining talent, especially when rival codes come calling.
- His comeback is a signal of depth for the Queensland Reds as they rebuild under new coach Vern Cotter.
Background
Nick Conway is a 19-year-old fullback who played his school rugby at Nudgee College. His father, Bob Conway, played 12 games for the Brisbane Broncos in an injury-shortened career that ended after a brain bleed. Nick was identified as a prospect by Queensland rugby despite having never played union before arriving at Nudgee. He has represented Australia at under-18s level and is now part of the Reds' senior squad.
Key Perspectives
Nick Conway: says the cancer diagnosis was a shock but he has always had a 'fix it and move on' mindset, and credits the Reds with supporting him through his darkest times, making him want to stay in union over league.
Treyvon Pritchard: confirms his leg is healing well and hopes to feature towards the back end of the tour, as he competes with Conway for the fullback role.
Les Kiss and Sam Cordingley (Queensland Reds management): maintained their commitment to Conway during his cancer battle, a factor Conway cites as key to his loyalty.
What to Watch
- Conway's performance on the Reds' tour against Saitama Wild Knights, Italy XV and Benetton will shape his push for a Super Rugby starting spot.
- The recovery of Treyvon Pritchard from a broken leg and whether he returns in time to challenge for the No.15 jersey.
- How new head coach Vern Cotter uses the duo as he replaces Les Kiss.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 10 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedNick Conway is cancer-free and pursuing a Wallabies future.The Age - Latest News: “Now, Conway is viewing the Reds’ tour as a chance to prove he has a long future in Queensland and Australian colours.”
- SupportedThe 19-year-old Queensland Reds rookie is cancer-free after a rare, aggressive testicular cancer diagnosis and is on the club’s off-season tour.The Age - Latest News: “Fortunately, Conway is now cancer-free, and he made a comeback to the field just eight weeks after his surgery.”
- SupportedConway said, “In grade 12, I was diagnosed with testicular cancer,” and described being fit and healthy as making it an “absolute shock.”The Age - Latest News: ““In grade 12, I was diagnosed with testicular cancer,” Conway reveals to this masthead. “It was an absolute shock, I was as fit as a fiddle and in really good nick – I had no idea this could happen to a healthy person.”
- SupportedConway said he faced three weeks of uncertainty before surgery, after which he was told the cancer was rare and aggressive.The Age - Latest News: ““There was a three-week period where I got the scan back, and it was looking pretty dodgy, they sort of didn’t know and didn’t give my mum a straight answer, and then following that they did the surgery and said it was rare and aggressive.””
- SupportedThe cancer was discovered after Conway was hit in the area during a Reds under-18s game in 2024.The Age - Latest News: ““It was really innocuous; I had a hit to the area in a Reds’ under-18s game in 2024, and then I had the pain for a while. One day, it was just immense …””
- SupportedConway returned to the field eight weeks after surgery.The Age - Latest News: “Fortunately, Conway is now cancer-free, and he made a comeback to the field just eight weeks after his surgery.”
- SupportedAn MRI found Conway had cracked ribs suffered while scoring a try in round two of Nudgee’s season.The Age - Latest News: “An MRI found he had been playing with cracked ribs – suffered scoring a try in round two of Nudgee’s season before travelling to New Zealand for Australia’s under-18s clash.”
- Partly supportedConway’s back issue was eventually diagnosed as chronic back pain.The Age - Latest News: ““They actually diagnosed me with chronic back pain for a bit, and then I slowly worked my way through that.””
- Partly supportedConway credited Reds support, led by Les Kiss and Sam Cordingley, as a reason he chose union over rugby league.The Age - Latest News: ““I was tempted by some of the league things, but the Reds provided me with so much care through some tough times. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else,” Conway says. “Dad sort of pushed me even more towards union because I think he was so grateful for how they supported me”
- SupportedConway said his father pushed him towards union because he was grateful for the Reds’ support.The Age - Latest News: ““Dad sort of pushed me even more towards union because I think he was so grateful for how they supported me”
- SupportedConway is on the Reds’ tour to Japan and Italy and will vie with Treyvon Pritchard for the No. 15 jersey vacated by Jock Campbell.The Age - Latest News: “He will be vying with close friend Treyvon Pritchard – who has toured with the squad hopeful of returning from a broken leg in its later stages – for the No.15 jumper vacated by departing Test custodian Jock Campbell (Shizuoka Blue Revs).”
- SupportedPritchard said, “The leg’s coming along well, we’ve progressed to running over the last two weeks, and with the tour, we’re hoping to progress a bit faster and maybe catch a game towards the back end.”The Age - Latest News: ““The leg’s coming along well, we’ve progressed to running over the last two weeks, and with the tour, we’re hoping to progress a bit faster and maybe catch a game towards the back end,” Pritchard confirms.”