Scott Dureau, a former halfback for the Newcastle Knights and Catalan Dragons, has tragically passed away at the age of 39 after a battle with cancer.
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The news was confirmed by the Catalan Dragons on Monday evening, with reports stating that he had died of brain cancer.
It is understood that he had been battling the illness for well over a decade after it was first identified as a problem back in 2013 when a tumour was found behind his eye.
“A former iconic player of the club, Scott had been courageously battling cancer for several years,” the Dragons said in a statement.
“Beyond the exceptional player that he was, Scott was a man cherished by all those who had the privilege of knowing him.
“His talent and numerous achievements on the field, but above all his humility and kindness, will forever be etched in our memories.
“In these painful moments, President Bernard Guasch and the entire club extend their most sincere condolences to his wife Libby, his two daughters Imogen and Everly, his family, and all his loved ones.”
Dureau played 42 matches over four seasons with the Knights before making the switch to the Super League, where he racked up a further 97 appearances for Catalans.
Named in the Super League’s ‘Dream Team’ in 2011 and 2012, he won the Albert Goldthorpe – the competition’s equivalent of the NRL’s Dally M medal – in the latter season before retiring in 2015.
Scott Dureau celebrates kicking the winning field goal in golden point extra-time of Newcastle Knights v Manly Sea Eagles NRL game at EnergyAustralia Stadium in Newcastle.Source: News Limited
STAR RESPONDS TO EELS RUMOURS
Roosters enforcer Spencer Leniu insists great mate Jarome Luai hasn’t tried to lure him across to the Eels despite rumours linking him to the club if he is granted an early release from the final year of his deal.
Leniu is signed for the 2027 season, but there have been suggestions throughout the year that he could be let go to join another club.
The prop forward won three premierships at Penrith before he made the move east in 2024 for more starting opportunities, but his minutes are well down this year.
It’s led to speculation that he could be on the move next year – with the PNG Chiefs also an option in 2028 – but he was strong when asked about it following Friday’s win over Melbourne.
“I’m contracted to this club. I love this club, I love the brothers here, and we’ve got a good thing going into the finals,” he told the NewsWire.
“My sole focus is just putting my best foot forward for this team and for the club, and hopefully we get a good run into the finals.”
Complicating things is Luai joining the Eels in 2027 before he heads over to PNG, with the playmaker dubbed the chief recruitment officer for the new franchise.
Leniu and Luai have a strong bond from their time together at the Panthers and with Samoa, but the ferocious forward insists his good friend hasn’t tried to pitch him anything.
“No, not at all,” he said.
NRL 2026 RD10 Sydney Roosters v Gold Coast Titans – Spencer Leniu NRL PHOTOSSource: The Daily Telegraph
“Whatever he does, I’m in full support of him. It’s tough seeing him go through that stuff, but I know he’s been through it before and he knows how to deal with it.”
Leniu has tried to avoid the innuendo over his future, doubling down on his love for the Roosters.
“I don’t see it too often, it’s more so when my family sees it and then it becomes a topic of conversation,” he said.
“Everyone knows where my heart lies inside our four walls, and to be honest, that’s all that matters. Outside noise is outside noise.
“For the fans, it’s awesome for them to hear about these rumours and speculate, but that’s part of the game. We’ve got to take the good with the bad. As long as people know in those four walls where my heart lies, that’s all that matters to me.”
Leniu lost his State of Origin spot this year after some quiet games at club level but ironically had his best game for the Roosters earlier this month when he ran for 142 metres against Parramatta in what was his fifth start of the season.
He had some strong carries against the Storm last week as well and shapes as a game-changing force in the middle in their push towards the premiership.
“I’m just enjoying my footy. I love these boys, I love this club. It’s always nice when you’re winning too, it makes life and footy much easier,” he said.
“I’m not too sure exactly what I put it down to. I’m just enjoying it. I don’t know (what’s changed with my form) because before I was enjoying footy too. It’s just maybe a bit more minutes and stuff now. I’m enjoying life and that’s reflecting in my footy.”
— Martin Gabor (NCA NewsWire)
Cronk tees off on Luai’s Tigers exit | 01:11
‘GET ON THE PHONE’: CALL KNIGHTS NEED TO MAKE
Newcastle legend Andrew Johns has called on his former club to reach out to goal-kicking coach Daryl Halligan after Kalyn Ponga’s costly goal-kicking performance.
The Knights went down to the Sharks on Friday night despite scoring four tries to Cronulla’s three, with Ponga’s wayward boot the difference in the end.
The superstar fullback made just one of his four conversion attempts and while the majority came from the sideline, Ponga’s 73 per cent success rate on the season is hardly anything to write home about.
It could prove to be the difference too come the finals when points will be at a premium, and Ponga’s performance on Friday night prompted Johns to call on the Knights to act.
“He’d know Kalyn,” Johns said on the Sunday Footy Show.
“Get on the phone to Daryl Halligan, the Knights. Get him up there and improve his technique. There’s obviously a bit of a flaw in his technique. Daryl will sort it.”
Knights coach Justin Holbrook, however, was not overly concerned when asked about Ponga’s goal-kicking in the post-game press conference.
“Three games in nine days, that’s a lot to ask of anybody, let alone your best player,” Holbrook said after the game.
“For him to get himself up to play tonight, and for us to come here and outscore them, we’re probably unlucky not to win the game. I thought we did enough. It’s hard to swallow … we’ve just got to stick at it.”
It was a tough night from the boot. (Photo by Jeremy Ng/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
BULLDOGS BACK-UP OPENS UP ON HIS FUTURE
(via Martin Gabor, Newswire)
Sean O’Sullivan says he’d love the opportunity to be a starting halfback somewhere in the NRL after he reminded everyone on Saturday night that he’s got all the skills to lead a team across the park.
With Stephen Crichton out injured, O’Sullivan stepped into the halves for Canterbury and nailed a 40/20 in the opening minute to get his side going, before he kicked another one later in the game to help the Bulldogs destroy the hapless Tigers.
He combined really well with Lachlan Galvin who was able to do his own thing as the veteran playmaker controlled the contest.
O’Sullivan, 27, has played 65 matches across nine seasons with the Roosters, Broncos, Warriors, Panthers, Dolphins and now the Bulldogs.
He’s never played more than 14 games in a season and has generally been the back-up half, but he’d love the chance to be the main man somewhere.
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Sean O`Sullivan impressed. Picture: NRL PhotosSource: Supplied
O’Sullivan has a mutual option for 2027 at the Bulldogs but will attract interest from rivals.
“I’d be lying if I said that wasn’t the case. I would love it,” he replied when asked if he wants the chance to be a starting halfback somewhere in the NRL.
“I am really super confident in what I can bring to a team, and I would obviously love that opportunity.
“But right now, whatever position I’m in, I just have to keep doing my role. I’m not bigger than anyone else in this club, and I’m not bigger than anyone else in this team. I can’t put my wants or needs in front of anyone else’s.
“But of course, we’re all competitors and it’s only natural for me to obviously want to be in that position too.
“I understand what my strengths are, and I’ll just have to bide my time and keep working hard. Whatever happens, happens, and I just keep putting my best foot forward and keep hoping that the boys get a win because, at the end of the day, we’re fighting for a top eight finish and we need as many wins as we can.
“Whatever ‘Ciro’ (Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo) thinks is best, he’ll do.”
Ciraldo heaps praise on Dogs’ defense | 06:07
Ciraldo praised O’Sullivan for what he did against the Tigers but indicated Crichton would slot straight back into the halves against the Warriors on Saturday.
O’Sullivan said he was happy to bide his time and do whatever’s best for the club, with the halfback contemplating what’s next for his career.
“I think we’re sorting through a couple of things at the moment, but again, I’ll leave that up to my manager. He’s good at that, so I’ll just keep trying to put my best foot forward at whatever position I’m in and go from there,” he said.
“I think for me it’s just really what’s best for myself and my career. Obviously, I’m super happy here, and I love being a part of the Bulldogs.
“Me and my missus are about to have our second kid, so for me it’s just not looking too far ahead. It sounds cliche, but really I’ll just keep working hard and keep looking for that.”