The rugby league community is mourning the loss of former Newcastle Knights and Catalans Dragons playmaker Scott Dureau, who has died aged 39 following a long and courageous battle with cancer.
Dureau’s death was confirmed by French Super League club Catalans Dragons, where the gifted halfback became one of the competition’s most admired players after leaving the NRL. He had been living with cancer for more than a decade after a tumour was discovered behind his eye, a diagnosis that ultimately brought his playing career to an early end.
In an emotional statement, the Dragons paid tribute not only to Dureau’s talent on the field, but to the man behind the footballer.
“A former iconic player of the club, he had been courageously battling the illness for several years,” the club said.
“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.”
The club also extended its condolences to Dureau’s wife Libby, daughters Imogen and Everly, and his wider family.
Born in Queensland, Dureau made his NRL debut for the Newcastle Knights in 2007, going on to play 42 first-grade matches across four seasons. But it was in France where he truly flourished.
Joining the Catalans Dragons in 2011, Dureau made 97 appearances and quickly established himself as one of the Super League’s elite players. He was selected in the competition’s prestigious Dream Team in both 2011 and 2012 before claiming the Albert Goldthorpe Medal, the Super League’s equivalent of the NRL’s Dally M Medal.
His career took a heartbreaking turn in 2013 when surgeons removed a tumour from behind his eye. Although he attempted to continue playing, ongoing health complications forced him into retirement in 2015.
Dureau later returned to Newcastle in a coaching role, but his health challenges continued. In 2018, doctors discovered six brain tumours during an MRI scan. Despite successful surgery, the cancer later spread, and he continued to fight the disease with remarkable determination and optimism.
Throughout his illness, Dureau earned widespread admiration for the courage and resilience he showed away from the football field, inspiring many with his refusal to give up hope despite repeated setbacks.
His passing has prompted an outpouring of grief from across the rugby league world, with teammates, clubs and supporters remembering not only a gifted footballer, but a kind, humble family man whose bravery touched far more lives than those who watched him play.
Images: Fox Sports
