Sam Backo dies aged 64, Maroons, Raiders legend
Backo, 64, had been in intensive care at Cairns Hospital after being diagnosed with melioidosis – a bacterial infection – in April.
Recent media reports stated Backo may have contracted the soil-borne tropical disease while swimming in Freshwater Creek at Goomboora Park in Cairns.
Backo had been transferred to a Brisbane hospital but returned to Cairns where he passed on Sunday afternoon surrounded by family and friends.
'Sam was a wonderful player and a wonderful man. He was immensely powerful and a real character. He will be sadly missed,' said Raiders coach and ex-teammate Ricky Stuart.
Nicknamed Slammin' Sam, Backo played 114 games for Canberra between 1983 and 1988 before playing a further 20 games for Brisbane in 1989 and 1990.
A renowned character, Backo played seven State of Origin games for Queensland and six Tests for Australia. He also represented a Rest of World team in 1988.
Sam Backo has died aged 64.
Sam Backo played 114 games for the Raiders.
Remarkably, Backo scored tries all three Tests against Great Britain in 1988 and also claimed two man-of-the-match honours for Queensland.
Former Raiders teammate Brent Todd posted an emotional message to Facebook, writing: 'Goodbye my dear friend, may you now rest in peace.
'During our time at the Raiders we became bloody great mates. I'm going to miss you, Sammy.'
Ex-Maroons teammate Martin Bella posted a photo of himself, Backo and the late Peter Jackson after a State of Origin win.
'Late man standing. The years are cruel,' Bella wrote.
Canberra Raiders also paid tribute, posting: 'VALE Canberra Raiders great Sam Backo. #Raider43. Our condolences to his family and friends.'
Backo enjoyed a stint with Leeds in England in 1988.
Leeds Rhinos took to social media to post: 'Deeply sad news in Australia that '80s fan favourite, Slammin' Sam Backo has passed away aged 64.'
Known as a gentle giant, Backo, who suffered a heart attack in 2023, watched the recent State of Origin decider from his hospital bed.
At the time of his heart attack, former teammate and Immortal Wally Lewis said: 'He was such a dominant prop.
'When he came on, Sam just destroyed everyone that was in front of him. Sam was the size of a cement truck and he made the most of it.
'That dominating period for Sam, in the late 1980s, probably gave Queensland dominance in size for the first time.'
At the time, Queensland legend Trevor Gillmeister added: 'They talk about big blokes these days with footwork but Sam was one of the first that was god on his feet for a big man.'
Backo, who started his top-level footy career with Brisbane club Fortitude Valley, was known for his work in indigenous health.
He was awarded the Australian Sports Medal in 2000 for his contribution to rugby league in Australia.
Dean Ritchie
NRL Reporter
Dean "Bulldog'" Ritchie has covered rugby league at The Daily Telegraph, and now CODE Sports as well, for 33 years. From the Super League war to NRL grand finals, State of Origin clashes and World Cups, Bulldog has written about the biggest issues in the game and broken many of the most important stories.
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