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Cancer survivor Leali’ifano back for Brumbies in playoffs

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) Christian Leali’ifano has been selected on the reserves bench for the Brumbies in the Super Rugby playoffs, less than a year after being diagnosed with leukemia.

Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham announced inside back Leali’ifano’s comeback on Tuesday for their home quarterfinal in Canberra against the Wellington, New Zealand-based Hurricanes.

The 19-test Wallaby was diagnosed last August with leukemia and had chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant late last year. He was told in February that he was in remission from the cancer.

Leali’ifano was cleared to make his comeback in an exhibition game in Singapore in June, and also later played in a fourth-grade club game.