Latest news with #Dufty
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Matt Dufty injury latest as Burgess confirms his full-back replacement
SAM Burgess has provided a further update on Matt Dufty's fitness, with Warrington Wolves set for a spell without their influential full-back. And while the exact amount of time he will spend on the sidelines remains unclear, Burgess has ruled Dufty out of at least the next two Super League matches, starting with Saturday's trip to Leeds Rhinos. Advertisement The Australian is waiting to have surgery having fractured his left eye socket during Saturday's Challenge Cup Final following a head-on-head collision with Hull KR forward James Batchelor. Dufty is treated on the field at Wembley (Image: Allan McKenzie/ Having initially attempted to play on, Dufty eventually succumbed in the final 10 minutes before the Robins went on to snatch victory in the dying seconds to break Warrington's hearts. He is the second Wire player to suffer a fractured eye socket in recent weeks after scrum-half Marc Sneyd did so during the Round Nine victory over St Helens. Sneyd returned just 16 days later in time for the Challenge Cup semi-final victory over Leigh Leopards, but Burgess hinted Dufty may be out for a longer period. Read more Sauaso Sue spitting verdict confirmed as tribunal reaches decision Advertisement Why fans may want to arrive early and stay late when Wire visit Headingley Warrington Wolves' Super League task explained as season resumes 'We don't know exactly as he hasn't had his surgery yet – there's too much swelling at the moment,' he said. 'He'll be going in at the end of the week. 'It'll be similar to what Marc Sneyd's was and that was two or three weeks. 'We obviously pushed Marc – and he pushed himself – for the semi-final and we're not in that situation anymore, but we'll see how Duff pulls up early next week. 'He's not going to be playing for at least two weeks.' Sam Burgess confirms Matt Dufty full-back replacement With young full-back Cai Taylor-Wray also absent with a torn hamstring, Burgess all but confirmed Stefan Ratchford would deputise for Dufty in what will be his first start at full-back since July 2022. Advertisement The veteran came off the bench to replace Dufty at Wembley and Burgess said simply slotting him in 'makes a bit of sense.' 'Stef's played there before and has filled a number of roles for us, so it looks that way,' he said. 'We've got a few things we want to have a look at over the next few days but it probably makes a bit of sense. 'He's such a valuable bloke and he's played pretty much everywhere – he's told me he's not played front-row so I'm not sure I'm going to put him there! 'Keeping him on this year was a big decision, but we thought he could add some value and I think he's played around 75 per cent of our games this year. Advertisement 'He's filled a number of roles and has done a good job, so he's great to have around.' More than half of Stefan Ratchford's 351 Wire appearances have come at full-back, but his last start at number one came back in July 2022 (Image: Paul Currie/ Warrington Wolves post-Wembley injury news Burgess confirmed Dufty was Warrington's only fresh injury concern ahead of the Round 14 trip to Headingley. Skipper George Williams, centre Toby King and forwards Lachlan Fitzgibbon and Jordy Crowther all returned from injury for the cup final and all are likely to feature against Brad Arthur's side. Advertisement 'They all came through the game okay so touch wood, if their week goes okay they should all be lining up this week,' Burgess said. 'In terms of new injuries, it's just Duff – there's a few bumps and bruises but everybody should make the game.' Having pushed himself to return early from ankle surgery for the game, George Williams has emerged from the Challenge Cup Final unscathed (Image: Richard Sellers/PA Wire) Along with Dufty and Taylor-Wray, Warrington will still be without long-term absentees Danny Walker, Matty Ashton, Oli Leyland (all knee) and Leon Hayes (ankle) for the trip to Headingley. Walker and Hayes are still several weeks away from being back in contention, while Ashton and Leyland will both miss the remainder of 2025.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Warrington Wolves' full-back options assessed - who could replace Dufty?
Stefan Ratchford is among the options to replace the injured Matt Dufty at full-back (Image: Paul Currie/ AS they pick up their Super League campaign again, Warrington Wolves will do so with a fresh injury to a key player. Full-back Matt Dufty fractured his eye socket during Saturday's Challenge Cup Final defeat following a head-on-head collision with Hull KR's James Batchelor, who received a Grade C head contact charge and five penalty points as a result. Advertisement After the game, Sam Burgess said they would be without the Australian for 'a while,' with a further update on his condition expected this afternoon when Burgess addresses the media to preview the trip to Leeds Rhinos this weekend. Matt Dufty is treated for the injury he suffered at Wembley (Image: Allan McKenzie/ At the very least, The Wire can plan to be without Dufty for the game at Headingley, which brings about the question of how he will be replaced. The waters are muddied given youngster Cai Taylor-Wray, who has established himself as Dufty's understudy, is also injured – he tore his hamstring playing for the reserves back in April and is not expected to play again this season. Oli Leyland also has history of playing at full-back but his season is also over having suffered an ACL injury, meaning Burgess' options have narrowed. Advertisement Below, we look at some of the potential solutions he could opt for… STEFAN RATCHFORD The veteran utility man replaced Dufty for the latter stages at Wembley having been named on the bench primarily as half-back and centre cover given George Williams and Toby King's fragility as they returned from injury. Simply drafting him in from the start would cause the least disruption to other areas of the team in terms of selection – he would simply move from the bench to the starting side, with Max Wood then seemingly favourite to take his interchange spot. Full-back has been his most common position during his long Warrington career – of his 351 appearances for the club, more than half (182) have seen him start in the number one shirt. Advertisement However, the last of those starts at the back came nearly three years ago during a 35-22 defeat at Castleford Tigers in July 2022. Stefan Ratchford could slot into full-back having played extensively in the halves during 2025 in George Williams' absence (Image: Paul Currie/ JOSH THEWLIS Another option could be moving Josh Thewlis into the position many had earmarked him for long-term as he became an established first-teamer. As recently as the start of last year, the expectation was that Thewlis was next in line for the club's number one jersey, but Dufty's resurgence in form and the emergence of Taylor-Wray through the academy means his future is set to lie on the wing. Advertisement However, he remains a natural full-back and would no doubt relish the prospect of more time in a position he is still keen to play in. Moving Thewlis to full-back would create an opening on the right wing, which would likely be filled by either his younger brother Jake or Connor Wrench, who made two bright appearances against Wakefield and Hull KR having recovered from his second ACL injury in as many years. His last start at full-back came in June 2023 during a 22-6 defeat to Leeds Rhinos at The Halliwell Jones Stadium. Wembley try-scorer Josh Thewlis spent his academy and early first-team career at full-back before moving to the wing (Image: Simon Wilkinson/ FLYNN HOLDEN No doubt the most left-field and unlikely option, but could Burgess put his faith in a youngster who has been in fine form for the academy and reserves? Advertisement Livewire full-back Flynn Holden has been a key part of flying starts to the season for both sides, scoring 10 tries in 11 appearances to date. He would be making his senior debut should he be given the nod and given the more experienced options available, the likelihood is he may have to wait but Burgess has shown his willingness to put faith in the club's young talent – even this year, Holden's teammates Ewan Irwin and Zack Gardner have made their first-team debuts.
7NEWS
05-06-2025
- Sport
- 7NEWS
Warrington fullback Matt Dufty bans mum from jetting in for Challenge Cup final
Warrington fullback Matt Dufty has banned his mum from this weekend's Challenge Cup final at Wembley because she has never seen him win. Dufty's dad Glenn is planning to jet in from Australia in the hope of watching his son lift major silverware for the first time, but mum Leonie is under strict instructions to stay at home. 'My mum hasn't seen me win yet,' laughed Dufty. 'She's come over and watched me seven times and we've lost all seven. So she's not allowed to come this week.' The 29-year-old Dufty, who joined the Wolves midway through the 2022 season, has emerged as an increasingly important component in a side whose spine has been ravaged by injuries during this campaign. He was coached by his dad from an early age and earned rave reviews in the NRL, but is still missing the major trophy that he believes will make all his family's early sacrifices worthwhile. 'My dad's coming over for the game because he didn't get the opportunity to come and watch me play last year,' added Dufty. 'He's been a big part of my rugby league journey and he came out to watch me play in Las Vegas earlier this year, but he hasn't seen me lift anything professionally. 'So if I could get some silverware whilst he's watching I think it would be special for me and for our family.' Despite scoring his side's opening try, Dufty endured a final to forget last season when he was sin-binned after just five minutes and Warrington never fully recovered as they slid to an 18-8 defeat to Wigan. But he has continued to emerge as one of Super League's star playmakers this season, assuming extra responsibility during long injury lay-offs for the likes of captain George Williams and hooker Danny Walker. 'It's been a bit of a different year and while I probably haven't had the same impact on the team, I feel like I've grown into a different role,' added Dufty, who played for St George Illawarra and Canterbury Bulldogs in the NRL. 'For me it's been about learning and growing as a player and doing what's best for the team. I've learned a lot about myself as a player and a leader.' Having started in the game at the age of four after he was rejected for a soccer camp, Dufty grew up as a keen scholar of the game on both sides of the world, and can think of few better scenarios than capping his career with a Challenge Cup winners' medal. 'It was always something we watched back home,' added Dufty. 'Then when you come over you realise how important the Challenge Cup is to English culture and how much prestige is behind it. 'Last year I got to experience it first-hand and it wasn't the way we wanted it, but we've got another chance two years in a row and the experience we gained from 2024 is going to be massive for us.'
North Wales Chronicle
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- North Wales Chronicle
Matt Dufty bans mum from Warrington cup final because she has never seen him win
Dufty's dad Glenn is planning to jet in from Australia in the hope of watching his son lift major silverware for the first time, but mum Leonie is under strict instructions to stay at home. 'My mum hasn't seen me win yet,' laughed Dufty. 'She's come over and watched me seven times and we've lost all seven. So she's not allowed to come this week.' The 29-year-old Dufty, who joined the Wolves midway through the 2022 season, has emerged as an increasingly important component in a side whose spine has been ravaged by injuries during this campaign. He was coached by his dad from an early age and earned rave reviews in the NRL but is still missing the major trophy that he believes will make all his family's early sacrifices worthwhile. 'My dad's coming over for the game because he didn't get the opportunity to come and watch me play last year,' added Dufty. 'He's been a big part of my rugby league journey and he came out to watch me play in Las Vegas earlier this year, but he hasn't seen me lift anything professionally. 'So if I could get some silverware whilst he's watching I think it would be special for me and for our family.' Despite scoring his side's opening try, Dufty endured a final to forget last season when he was sin-binned after just five minutes and Warrington never fully recovered as they slid to an 18-8 defeat to Wigan. But he has continued to emerge as one of Super League's star playmakers this season, assuming extra responsibility during long injury lay-offs for the likes of captain George Williams and hooker Danny Walker. 'It's been a bit of a different year and while I probably haven't had the same impact on the team, I feel like I've grown into a different role,' added Dufty. 'For me it's been about learning and growing as a player and doing what's best for the team. I've learned a lot about myself as a player and a leader.' Having started in the game at the age of four after he was rejected for a soccer camp, Dufty grew up as a keen scholar of the game on both sides of the world, and can think of few better scenarios than capping his career with a Challenge Cup winners' medal. 'It was always something we watched back home,' added Dufty. 'Then when you come over you realise how important the Challenge Cup is to English culture and how much prestige is behind it. 'Last year I got to experience it first-hand and it wasn't the way we wanted it, but we've got another chance two years in a row and the experience we gained from 2024 is going to be massive for us.'
The Advertiser
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Advertiser
Aussie Matt Dufty bans mum from Challenge Cup Final
Warrington full-back Matt Dufty has banned his mum from this weekend's Challenge Cup final at Wembley because she has never seen him win. Dufty's dad Glenn is planning to jet in from Australia in the hope of watching his son lift major silverware for the first time, but mum Leonie is under strict instructions to stay at home. "My mum hasn't seen me win yet," laughed Dufty. "She's come over and watched me seven times and we've lost all seven. So she's not allowed to come this week." The 29-year-old Dufty, who joined the Wolves midway through the 2022 season, has emerged as an increasingly important component in a side whose spine has been ravaged by injuries during this campaign. He was coached by his dad from an early age and earned rave reviews in the NRL, but is still missing the major trophy that he believes will make all his family's early sacrifices worthwhile. "My dad's coming over for the game because he didn't get the opportunity to come and watch me play last year," added Dufty. "He's been a big part of my rugby league journey and he came out to watch me play in Las Vegas earlier this year, but he hasn't seen me lift anything professionally. "So if I could get some silverware whilst he's watching I think it would be special for me and for our family." Despite scoring his side's opening try, Dufty endured a final to forget last season when he was sin-binned after just five minutes and Warrington never fully recovered as they slid to an 18-8 defeat to Wigan. But he has continued to emerge as one of Super League's star playmakers this season, assuming extra responsibility during long injury lay-offs for the likes of captain George Williams and hooker Danny Walker. "It's been a bit of a different year and while I probably haven't had the same impact on the team, I feel like I've grown into a different role," added Dufty, who played for St George Illawarra and Canterbury Bulldogs in the NRL. "For me it's been about learning and growing as a player and doing what's best for the team. I've learned a lot about myself as a player and a leader." Having started in the game at the age of four after he was rejected for a soccer camp, Dufty grew up as a keen scholar of the game on both sides of the world, and can think of few better scenarios than capping his career with a Challenge Cup winners' medal. "It was always something we watched back home," added Dufty. "Then when you come over you realise how important the Challenge Cup is to English culture and how much prestige is behind it. "Last year I got to experience it first-hand and it wasn't the way we wanted it, but we've got another chance two years in a row and the experience we gained from 2024 is going to be massive for us." Warrington full-back Matt Dufty has banned his mum from this weekend's Challenge Cup final at Wembley because she has never seen him win. Dufty's dad Glenn is planning to jet in from Australia in the hope of watching his son lift major silverware for the first time, but mum Leonie is under strict instructions to stay at home. "My mum hasn't seen me win yet," laughed Dufty. "She's come over and watched me seven times and we've lost all seven. So she's not allowed to come this week." The 29-year-old Dufty, who joined the Wolves midway through the 2022 season, has emerged as an increasingly important component in a side whose spine has been ravaged by injuries during this campaign. He was coached by his dad from an early age and earned rave reviews in the NRL, but is still missing the major trophy that he believes will make all his family's early sacrifices worthwhile. "My dad's coming over for the game because he didn't get the opportunity to come and watch me play last year," added Dufty. "He's been a big part of my rugby league journey and he came out to watch me play in Las Vegas earlier this year, but he hasn't seen me lift anything professionally. "So if I could get some silverware whilst he's watching I think it would be special for me and for our family." Despite scoring his side's opening try, Dufty endured a final to forget last season when he was sin-binned after just five minutes and Warrington never fully recovered as they slid to an 18-8 defeat to Wigan. But he has continued to emerge as one of Super League's star playmakers this season, assuming extra responsibility during long injury lay-offs for the likes of captain George Williams and hooker Danny Walker. "It's been a bit of a different year and while I probably haven't had the same impact on the team, I feel like I've grown into a different role," added Dufty, who played for St George Illawarra and Canterbury Bulldogs in the NRL. "For me it's been about learning and growing as a player and doing what's best for the team. I've learned a lot about myself as a player and a leader." Having started in the game at the age of four after he was rejected for a soccer camp, Dufty grew up as a keen scholar of the game on both sides of the world, and can think of few better scenarios than capping his career with a Challenge Cup winners' medal. "It was always something we watched back home," added Dufty. "Then when you come over you realise how important the Challenge Cup is to English culture and how much prestige is behind it. "Last year I got to experience it first-hand and it wasn't the way we wanted it, but we've got another chance two years in a row and the experience we gained from 2024 is going to be massive for us." Warrington full-back Matt Dufty has banned his mum from this weekend's Challenge Cup final at Wembley because she has never seen him win. Dufty's dad Glenn is planning to jet in from Australia in the hope of watching his son lift major silverware for the first time, but mum Leonie is under strict instructions to stay at home. "My mum hasn't seen me win yet," laughed Dufty. "She's come over and watched me seven times and we've lost all seven. So she's not allowed to come this week." The 29-year-old Dufty, who joined the Wolves midway through the 2022 season, has emerged as an increasingly important component in a side whose spine has been ravaged by injuries during this campaign. He was coached by his dad from an early age and earned rave reviews in the NRL, but is still missing the major trophy that he believes will make all his family's early sacrifices worthwhile. "My dad's coming over for the game because he didn't get the opportunity to come and watch me play last year," added Dufty. "He's been a big part of my rugby league journey and he came out to watch me play in Las Vegas earlier this year, but he hasn't seen me lift anything professionally. "So if I could get some silverware whilst he's watching I think it would be special for me and for our family." Despite scoring his side's opening try, Dufty endured a final to forget last season when he was sin-binned after just five minutes and Warrington never fully recovered as they slid to an 18-8 defeat to Wigan. But he has continued to emerge as one of Super League's star playmakers this season, assuming extra responsibility during long injury lay-offs for the likes of captain George Williams and hooker Danny Walker. "It's been a bit of a different year and while I probably haven't had the same impact on the team, I feel like I've grown into a different role," added Dufty, who played for St George Illawarra and Canterbury Bulldogs in the NRL. "For me it's been about learning and growing as a player and doing what's best for the team. I've learned a lot about myself as a player and a leader." Having started in the game at the age of four after he was rejected for a soccer camp, Dufty grew up as a keen scholar of the game on both sides of the world, and can think of few better scenarios than capping his career with a Challenge Cup winners' medal. "It was always something we watched back home," added Dufty. "Then when you come over you realise how important the Challenge Cup is to English culture and how much prestige is behind it. "Last year I got to experience it first-hand and it wasn't the way we wanted it, but we've got another chance two years in a row and the experience we gained from 2024 is going to be massive for us."
