Matt Dufty will line up for South Sydney Rabbitohs this weekend, and he is one of many former Super League stars to feature in this week’s NRL pre-season fixtures.
Dufty joined the Bunnies earlier this off-season, on a reserve grade contract following his exit from Warrington Wolves.
The full-back made 94 NRL appearances before swapping Australia for the UK, but after being dropped to second choice behind Cai Taylor-Wray, the 30-year-old has been given a second opportunity down under.
He is one of many former UK talents that will be featuring in the NRL pre-season this weekend, including Morgan Knowles, who will make his unofficial Dolphins debut alongside former Hull KR half-back Brad Schneider.
The former St Helens man has joined Kristian Woolf’s side for the next few seasons, and looks to be handed a starting role in round one due to injuries within the side.
Canberra Raiders back rower Matty Nicholson has also been selected to compete this week, as a total of 16 clubs are in action.
Nicholson has been in the NRL since 2025, but he will be without teammate Morgan Smithies this week, after he was not selected.
As they did last week, North Queensland Cowboys boast the most ex-SL talents in their side, including Jake Clifford, Thomas Mikaele and Kai O’Donnell. However this week, John Bateman returns to action for the first time since England Ashes Test defeat to Australia. at Wembley.
New Zealand Warriors will give a pre-season debut to former Leeds Rhinos man Morgan Gannon, following his move this off-season. Whilst he never played Super League, the Wahs will also have former Swinton and Whitehaven full-back Geronimo Doyle in their side this weekend.
Rounding off the former Super League and notable UK names, Dominic Young has recovered from his broken foot that he suffered in the second Ashes Test, and he will line up on the wing for Newcastle Knights.
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