Former NRL star Scott Dureau fought cancer for eight years – with the help of controversial neurosurgeon Dr Charlie Teo – after being told he might have less than two years to live.
It was revealed on Monday that the former Newcastle Knights and Catalans Dragons halfback had died aged 39 following a prolonged battle with brain cancer that later spread to his liver.
Dureau leaves behind his wife Libby and their two daughters, Imogen and Everly.
The Daily Mail understands Dr Teo performed three brain surgeries on Dureau in 10 years as the former halfback fought the disease.
Catalans confirmed his death on Monday, prompting tributes from across Australia and England for the playmaker who made almost 100 appearances for the French club.
‘The Catalans Dragons have learned with immense sadness of the passing of Scott Dureau,’ the club said.
Scott Dureau, pictured with wife Libby, fought cancer for seven years after doctors initially gave him less than two years to live
Dureau continued undergoing treatment while raising his two daughters alongside his wife Libby at their Newcastle family home
Dr Charlie Teo performed three brain surgeries on Dureau in 10 years
‘A former iconic player of the club, he had been bravely fighting the disease for several years.
‘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.
‘In these painful moments, President Bernard Guasch and the entire club extend their sincerest condolences to his wife Libby, his two daughters Imogen and Everly, his family and all his loved ones.’
Dureau’s health battle began in 2013 while he was playing for Catalans in the Super League.
The halfback had been suffering persistent headaches but initially believed they were caused by fatigue following a demanding season.
He booked an appointment with an optometrist after wondering if he needed glasses. A shadow was found at the back of his eye and subsequent scans revealed a brain tumour behind it.
Dureau underwent successful surgery and returned to rugby league before retiring in 2015.
He then returned to Newcastle, where he worked with the Knights’ halves, junior pathways program and under-20s side.
Dureau said telling his wife, parents, brother and young family about the recurrence was especially difficult
Catalans extended condolences to Libby, Imogen, Everly and Dureau’s loved ones after confirming his death aged just 39
Dureau continued having routine scans after his first diagnosis. A check in 2018 showed the cancer had returned.
‘I had a scan in the morning and then saw Dr Charlie Teo straight after the scan,’ he recalled in 2019.
‘He brings up the scan on his computer and it was pretty plain to see.
‘It was there in full sight. Charlie turned around and said: “Sorry mate, we’ve had a recurrence, it’s come back”.
‘It took a little over eight hours to clean up. Without him, I’m not sure where I’d be, to be honest.’
Dureau later described breaking down after receiving the news alongside his father.
‘Dad came with me,’ he said. ‘My wife was at home looking after my two young girls.
‘When we saw it, Charlie told us, I broke down. It was pretty tough. Telling your loved ones, I can handle it myself, but with my wife, parents and brother, it’s pretty challenging.’
It’s understood Dr Teo was unable to continue operating on Dureau after he was banned from operating in Australia
Dureau returned to work just two weeks after spending more than eight hours in surgery.
However, further testing revealed that the cancer had spread to his liver.
The diagnosis came on December 17, just nine days before Christmas.
‘We found out a week before Christmas it had spread pretty thick and fast through my liver. It was a pretty bitter pill to swallow,’ he said.
An oncologist initially told Dureau the liver tumours were incurable and gave him a best-case prognosis of 18 months to two years.
‘That day was probably the worst day of my life. I can easily say that,’ Dureau said.
‘No one really knows this, but on that day, the oncologist basically said the tumours in my liver were incurable and best case I had 18-months to two years to live.
‘Thankfully since then, I’ve had some other opinions and saw a specialist who can operate. To say that Christmas period was pretty tough would be an understatement.’
Dureau leaves behind his wife Libby and their two daughters, Imogen and Everly
Dureau began chemotherapy while continuing to work fulltime at the Knights.
The Men of League Foundation and Newcastle organised a fundraising dinner for him and his family in April 2019.
Dureau said the support from the rugby league community strengthened his determination to continue fighting.
‘The only way I can repay that is, I’m going to fight as hard as I can,’ he said.
‘I know I’m strong enough to do that and that’s what I’m going to do.’
Dureau continued undergoing treatment, but his cancer later returned and his health battle stretched across the following years.
In 2023, he spoke publicly about his hope that Dr Teo – then facing an investigation by the Health Care Complaints Commission – could operate on him again.
Dr Teo has been under strict restrictions for years and faces a potential permanent ban from practising medicine in Australia.
Dureau continued fighting the disease until his death this week.
Dureau played 42 NRL games for Newcastle between 2007 and 2010 before joining Catalans in 2011.
He became one of the Super League’s leading playmakers and was selected in the competition’s Dream Team in 2011 and 2012.
The Daily Mail has contacted Dr Teo for comment.
