Nudgee College old boy Nick Conway has returned to elite rugby after disclosing a testicular cancer diagnosis during Year 12, with the Boondall school’s former student now selected for the Queensland Reds’ international tour of Japan and Italy.
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The 19-year-old discussed his diagnosis in a media interview. He said he was diagnosed in 2024, while completing his final year at the college, and underwent surgery before returning to rugby.
Conway said he was back on the field eight weeks after surgery. He also recalled experiencing pain after a blow during a rugby match, which led to medical investigations. His account does not establish that the injury caused his cancer. Cancer Council Australia said there is no known link between testicular cancer and injury to the testicles. Conway’s diagnosis, treatment, and recovery details remain based on his own public account.
Nudgee connection shared with his father
Conway’s connection to Boondall comes through St Joseph’s Nudgee College, at 2199 Sandgate Road. His father, Bob Conway, also attended the school and developed his own rugby career there.
Rugby historian Steve Ricketts described Bob as a former Nudgee rugby union and athletics standout. His account says Bob played five years of school rugby union before moving into rugby league. Bob later represented the Brisbane Broncos as a backrower. The club’s historical record identifies him in the side that defeated Cronulla 40–2 in 1991, when he also kicked five goals.
The Broncos’ historical account gives a career figure of 45 NRL games, while the November 6 interview reports 12 Broncos appearances. The figures have not been reconciled, so neither is used here. Nudgee’s rugby program has more than 100 years of involvement in the GPS competition. The college says it fields more than 40 teams across Years 5–12, with pathways into Premier Rugby and Super Rugby.
Australia selections followed his recovery
Conway’s representative progress included selection for Australia Under-18s in October 2024. Rugby Australia’s team announcement listed him on the wing against New Zealand Schools and identified him as a Nudgee College student.
Australia won the match 38–31 in Hamilton. The match report records Conway scoring after receiving a pass from prop Kingsley Uys. He progressed to the Australian Under-20 team in 2025, representing the country at the World Rugby Under-20 Championship in Italy. Conway scored against Scotland in Australia’s 34–24 victory on July 4. Five days later, he scored twice against England in a 36–33 defeat.
Queensland Reds announced a two-year elite development squad agreement for Conway and fellow prospect Finn Mackay on August 8, 2025. The agreement followed his development through the Buildcorp Reds Academy.
The signing announcement described Conway as a winger and fullback. It also identified Nudgee College as his school and Wests as his club at the time. He subsequently joined Brothers for the 2026 Hospital Cup season, having played for Wests in 2025.
Reds tour provides another opportunity
Conway was included in the Queensland Reds’ 2026 Super Rugby Pacific squad before earning selection for the November international tour. Coach Vern Cotter named him in the starting side at No.11 for the Reds’ opening match against Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights in Japan on November 7.
Queensland won the non-cap exhibition 40–17. However, the published match report does not independently establish Conway’s individual playing minutes or confirm his appearance. His selection is verified, but a debut should not be claimed without a match sheet or confirmation from the club.
The tour continues with another meeting against the Wild Knights in Kumagaya on November 14. The Reds are then scheduled to face an Italy XV on November 20 and Benetton Rugby on November 27, both in Treviso.
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Conway’s progression from Nudgee College to Australia’s age-group teams and the Reds’ touring squad gives the Boondall school connection a significant sporting chapter, following the health challenge he has publicly discussed.
Published 9-November-2026
