Former National Rugby League (NRL) star Scott Dureau has died at the age of 39 following an eight-year battle with cancer. Dureau, who played as a halfback for the Newcastle Knights and the French club Catalans Dragons, was initially given less than two years to live after being diagnosed with a brain tumor.
Dr. Charlie Teo, a controversial neurosurgeon, performed three brain surgeries on Dureau over a decade as he fought the disease. Dureau's initial health battle began in 2013 while playing for Catalans. Persistent headaches led to the discovery of a tumor behind his eye. Following successful surgery, he returned to rugby league before retiring in 2015.
In 2018, scans revealed the cancer had returned. Dureau described the moment he was told by Dr. Teo that the cancer had recurred. "It was there in full sight. Charlie turned around and said: 'Sorry mate, we've had a recurrence, it's come back'," Dureau recalled.
Following the recurrence, further tests indicated that the cancer had spread to his liver. An oncologist provided a grim prognosis of 18 months to two years, calling the liver tumors incurable. "That day was probably the worst day of my life. I can easily say that," Dureau stated.
Dureau continued to undergo treatment and chemotherapy while working full-time and raising his two daughters, Imogen and Everly, with his wife Libby. The rugby league community rallied around him, with the Men of League Foundation and Newcastle organizing a fundraising dinner in April 2019.
In 2023, Dureau publicly expressed his hope that Dr. Teo could operate on him again, despite Dr. Teo facing an investigation and restrictions on his medical practice in Australia. Dureau's fight against the disease continued until his death.
Dureau played 42 NRL games for Newcastle between 2007 and 2010 before joining Catalans in 2011. He became a prominent player in the Super League, earning selection in the competition's Dream Team in 2011 and 2012.
The Catalans Dragons confirmed his death, issuing a statement that expressed deep sadness and extended condolences to Dureau's wife, daughters, family, and loved ones. "Beyond being an exceptional player, Scott was a man appreciated by all those who had the privilege of being around him. His talent and many exploits on the field but especially his humility and kindness will remain forever etched in memories," the club stated.