# Sam Backo

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Australian rugby league footballer (1961–2025)

Sam Backo Personal information Full name Samson Backo Born (1961-01-01)1 January 1961 Ingham, Queensland, Australia Died 3 August 2025(2025-08-03) (aged 64) Cairns North, Queensland, Australia Playing information Height 188 cm (6 ft 2 in) Weight 115 kg (18 st 2 lb) Position Prop Club Years Team Pld T G FG P 1980–82 Fortitude Valley 1983–88 Canberra Raiders 115 15 0 0 60 1988–89 Leeds 18 1 0 0 4 1989–90 Brisbane Broncos 20 3 0 0 12 Total 153 19 0 0 76 Representative Years Team Pld T G FG P 1988–90 Queensland 7 3 0 0 12 1988–89 Australia 6 3 0 0 12 Source: [1][2]

**Samson Backo** (1 January 1961 – 3 August 2025) was an Australian professional [rugby league](/source/Rugby_league) footballer who played as a [prop](/source/Rugby_league_positions#prop_forward) in the 1980s and 1990s.

Named as one of the greatest [Aboriginal](/source/Aboriginal_Australian) players of the 20th century, he represented [Australia](/source/Australian_Kangaroos) and [Queensland](/source/Queensland_Maroons), and played club football in the [New South Wales Rugby League premiership](/source/New_South_Wales_Rugby_League_premiership) for the [Canberra Raiders](/source/Canberra_Raiders) and [Brisbane Broncos](/source/Brisbane_Broncos), primarily as a [prop forward](/source/Rugby_league_positions#Prop_forward). Backo was the first Australian forward to score tries in all three Tests of an [Ashes series](/source/The_Ashes_(rugby_league)), and following his retirement was named in an [Indigenous Australian](/source/Indigenous_Australian) team of the century.

## Early career

Former chairwoman of the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation, [Evelyn Scott](/source/Evelyn_Scott_(activist)) gave birth to Sam Backo on (1961-01-01)1 January 1961.[3] Originally from North Queensland township, [Ingham](/source/Ingham%2C_Queensland) he was a forward for [Cairns](/source/Cairns) in the [Queensland Rugby League](/source/Queensland_Rugby_League)'s [Northern Division](/source/Queensland_Rugby_League_Northern_Division) before moving south to [Woden Valley](/source/Woden_Valley) in the [New South Wales Country Rugby League](/source/New_South_Wales_Country_Rugby_League)'s [Group 8](/source/Group_8_Rugby_League) competition in 1981. The following year he returned to his home state to play for [Yeppoon](/source/Yeppoon) in the [Central Division](/source/Queensland_Rugby_League_Central_Division) competition.

## BRL and Canberra

After playing in the [Brisbane Rugby League premiership](/source/Brisbane_Rugby_League_premiership) for [Fortitude Valley](/source/Fortitude_Valley_Diehards), in 1983 Backo was given his first opportunity in the [Sydney Rugby League premiership](/source/NSWRFL_premiership) with the [Canberra Raiders](/source/Canberra_Raiders) in their second season. He made his début in March and went on to play a handful of games that season. From 1984, Backo was a regular member of the starting line-up at Canberra and in 1987 appeared in his, and the club's, [first grand final](/source/New_South_Wales_Rugby_League_season_1987#Grand_Final), which was lost to the [Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles](/source/Manly-Warringah_Sea_Eagles).

While in his final season at Canberra, Backo was first selected to play [State of Origin](/source/State_of_Origin_series) football for the Queensland Maroons in the [1988 series](/source/1988_State_of_Origin_series). He played in all three games at prop forward, scoring one try in game II and two tries in game III. Queensland won the series in a three-game whitewash. In games II and III Backo won consecutive man-of-the-match awards, one of only a handful of players to do so. During the [1988 Great Britain Lions tour](/source/1988_Great_Britain_Lions_tour) Backo was selected to make his [test match](/source/Test_match_(rugby_league)) debut at prop forward in the first of the Ashes series against [Great Britain](/source/Great_Britain_Lions) in Sydney, scoring a try. He went on to become the first Australian forward to score tries in all three Tests of an [Ashes series](/source/The_Ashes_(rugby_league)), and at the time he was only the second Australian player to do so after legendary winger [Ken Irvine](/source/Ken_Irvine). At the end of the [1988 NSWRL season](/source/1988_NSWRL_season) Backo was the [Dally M](/source/Dally_M) front rower of the year. A late season injury playing for Canberra saw him miss selection in Australia's [World Cup Final](/source/1985%E2%80%931988_Rugby_League_World_Cup#World_Cup_Final) winning team.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

## RFL and Brisbane

Moving to England, Backo played in the [1988–89 Rugby Football League season](/source/1988%E2%80%9389_Rugby_Football_League_season) for [Leeds](/source/Leeds_Rhinos). On Sunday 16 October 1988 he played as an [interchange](/source/Rugby_league_positions#Interchange), replacing prop [Hugh Waddell](/source/Hugh_Waddell_(rugby_league)), in [Leeds](/source/Leeds_Rhinos)' 33–12 victory over [Castleford](/source/Castleford_Tigers) in the [1988 Yorkshire Cup](/source/1988_Yorkshire_Cup) Final at [Headingley](/source/Headingley_Rugby_Stadium), [Leeds](/source/Leeds).

Backo's final two seasons of top-level football, 1989 and 1990, were spent in Queensland, with the [Brisbane Broncos](/source/Brisbane_Broncos). He was selected to go on the [1989 Kangaroo Tour of New Zealand](/source/1989_Kangaroo_Tour_of_New_Zealand). Backo also played in a further four games for the Maroons – games II and III of the [1989 State of Origin series](/source/1989_State_of_Origin_series), and games II and III of the [1990 series](/source/1990_State_of_Origin_series) – despite his knee problems,[4] which limited his participation with his club to only five appearances during 1990 and eventually forced his retirement at the end of the season. Although selected for the 1990 Australia team to play [France](/source/France_national_rugby_league_team) in the NSW country town of [Parkes](/source/Parkes%2C_New_South_Wales), he was forced to withdraw because of his ongoing knee injury. In total, Backo played in six Tests and scored three tries. In 1991, Backo made a short-lived return to football to play for [Logan Scorpions](/source/Logan_Scorpions) in the [Brisbane competition](/source/Brisbane_Rugby_League_premiership).

## Post-playing life

Backo was awarded the [Australian Sports Medal](/source/Australian_Sports_Medal) in 2000 for his contribution to Australia's standing in rugby league.[5] The *Indigenous Team of the Century* was announced in 2001 with Backo included in the starting line-up which also included [Arthur Beetson](/source/Arthur_Beetson), [Gorden Tallis](/source/Gorden_Tallis) and [John Ferguson](/source/John_Ferguson_(rugby_league)).[6] In 2004, Backo was named in the Canberra Raiders' *All Indigenous* team.[7]

## Personal life

Backo had a daughter with dancer [Lillian Crombie](/source/Lillian_Crombie), actress [Elaine Crombie](/source/Elaine_Crombie).[8]

His son, Daniel Backo, was signed to the [North Queensland Cowboys](/source/North_Queensland_Cowboys) but did not make an NRL appearance.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

### Illness and death

On 2 April 2023, it was reported that Backo had suffered a heart attack the previous day and was in a critical condition in a Cairns hospital.[9] Rugby league identities [Wally Lewis](/source/Wally_Lewis), [Trevor Gillmeister](/source/Trevor_Gillmeister), [Steve Renouf](/source/Steve_Renouf) and [Darryl Brohman](/source/Darryl_Brohman) were among those who offered support to Backo and his family upon learning the news.[9][10]

Backo died from [melioidosis](/source/Melioidosis) at [Cairns Hospital](/source/Cairns_Hospital), on 3 August 2025, at the age of 64. He had been diagnosed with the bacterial infection in April of that year.[11]

## References

- Alan Whiticker & Glen Hudson (2007). *The Encyclopedia of Rugby League Players*. [Wetherill Park, New South Wales](/source/Wetherill_Park%2C_New_South_Wales): Gary Allen Pty Ltd. p. 16. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-877082-93-1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-877082-93-1).

- Malcolm Andrews (1992). *ABC of Rugby League*. [Sydney, New South Wales](/source/Sydney%2C_New_South_Wales): [Australian Broadcasting Corporation](/source/Australian_Broadcasting_Corporation) Enterprises. p. 32. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-7333-0176-2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-7333-0176-2).

- Gary Lester (1986). *Rugby League Action '85*. [Sydney, New South Wales](/source/Sydney%2C_New_South_Wales): John Fairfax Marketing. p. 17. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-909558-83-3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-909558-83-3).

## Footnotes

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** [Rugby League Project](https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/Sam-Backo/summary.html)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** [Yesterday's Hero](http://www.yesterdayshero.com.au/PlayerProfile_Sam-Backo_717.aspx)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Broome, Richard (2002). [*Aboriginal Australians: black responses to white dominance, 1788-2001*](https://books.google.com/books?id=6fof5hCew6wC). Allen & Unwin. pp. 282–283. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9781865087559](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9781865087559).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Clarkson, Alan; 'Backo May Miss Test: Fears over Knee Injury'; *[The Sun-Herald](/source/The_Sydney_Morning_Herald)*, 17 June 1990, p. 75

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["It's an Honour"](https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/971789). Australian Government. Retrieved 10 May 2008.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Darren Walton (16 June 2001). ["Beetson named captain of Indigenous Team of the Century"](https://web.archive.org/web/20110516221241/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-45246536.html). AAP Sports News (Australia). Archived from [the original](http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-45246536.html) (fee required) on 16 May 2011. Retrieved 10 May 2008.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Laurie Daley to captain Canberra Raiders all Indigenous team"](https://www.abc.net.au/message/news/stories/s1180104.htm). ABC News. 18 August 2004. Retrieved 10 May 2008.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-proof_8-0)** Crombie, Elaine (9 December 2016). ["I am living proof of the stolen generation. Trust me, the trauma is real"](https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/dec/09/i-am-living-proof-of-the-stolen-generation-trust-me-the-trauma-is-real). *The Guardian*. London. Retrieved 27 June 2021.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-former_9-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-former_9-1) Ritchie, Dean (2 April 2023). ["NRL 2023: Former Raiders, Queensland star Sam Backo in hospital after heart attack"](https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/nrl-2023-former-raiders-queensland-star-sam-backo-in-hospital-after-heart-attack/news-story/6b10fd7209a7a205ef4e1a23254abf67). *[The Daily Telegraph](/source/The_Daily_Telegraph_(Sydney))*. Sydney. Retrieved 2 April 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["League world in shock as legend Sam Backo hospitalised"](https://wwos.nine.com.au/nrl/news-2023-the-mole-maroons-legend-sam-backo-in-hospital/ff6d67aa-96d0-4dd3-b078-0e2946ff4c4e). *[Nine's Wide World of Sports](/source/Nine's_Wide_World_of_Sports)*. 2 April 2023. Retrieved 2 April 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["Queensland Maroons, Canberra Raiders legend Sam Backo dies aged 64"](https://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/maroons-raiders-legend-sam-backo-dies-aged-64/news-story/55f5d8eef6792a75c0b2c0c39147b240). news.com.au. 3 August 2025. Retrieved 3 August 2025.

## External links

- [Sam Backo at yesterdayshero.com.au](http://www.yesterdayshero.com.au/PlayerProfile_Sam-Backo_717.aspx)

- [Sam Backo at nrlstats.com](http://www.nrlstats.com/archive/players.cfm?PlayerID=13)

- [Sam Backo biography at Foley Shield fan site](http://www.fullbottle.com/foleyshield/backo.htm)

v t e Australia squad – 1988 World Cup final winners (6th title) 1 Garry Jack 2 Dale Shearer 3 Andrew Farrar 4 Mark McGaw 5 Michael O'Connor 6 Wally Lewis (captain) 7 Allan Langer 8 Paul Dunn 9 Ben Elias 10 Steve Roach 11 Paul Sironen 12 Gavin Miller 13 Wayne Pearce 14 Terry Lamb 15 David Gillespie Coach: Don Furner 1985–1988 wider squad: Sam Backo • Gary Belcher • Martin Bella • Chris Close • Greg Conescu • Tony Currie • Phil Daley • Les Davidson • Greg Dowling • Steve Ella • Andrew Ettingshausen • John Ferguson • Steve Folkes • Wally Fullerton Smith • Des Hasler • Peter Jackson • Brett Kenny • Bob Lindner • Mal Meninga • Gene Miles • Bryan Niebling • John Ribot • Royce Simmons • Peter Sterling • Peter Tunks • Paul Vautin • Peter Wynn • 1985 coach: Terry Fearnley

v t e 1989 Kangaroo Tour of New Zealand squad Wally Lewis (c) Paul Vautin (vc) Greg Alexander Sam Backo Gary Belcher Martin Bella Bradley Clyde Tony Currie Michael Hancock Des Hasler Peter Jackson Bruce McGuire Mal Meninga Michael O'Connor Steve Roach Dale Shearer Paul Sironen Dan Stains David Trewhella Kerrod Walters Coach: Bob Fulton

v t e The Indigenous Australian rugby league team of the century 1908–2007 1. Eric Simms 2. Lionel Morgan 3. Steve Renouf 4. Greg Inglis 5. Dale Shearer 6. Laurie Daley 7. Johnathan Thurston 8. Sam Backo 9. Mal Cochrane 10. Arthur Beetson 11. Gorden Tallis 12. Sam Thaiday 13. Cliff Lyons 14. George Green 15. Wally McArthur 16. Frank Fisher 17. John Ferguson

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Sam Backo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Backo) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Backo?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.