Sam Backo – a larger-than-life front-rower who represented Queensland and Australia in the 1980s – has died.
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.
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.
He then had a stint with Leeds in England.
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.
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 was known for his work in indigenous health.
