'Playing with a smile': Rejuvinated Dufty set to shine in Vegas
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Former Dragons fullback Matt Dufty has compared the rivalry between Warrington and Vegas opponents Wigan to ANZAC Day games against Sydney Roosters and credited Wolves coach Sam Burgess for reviving his love of the game.
Dufty finished runner-up for the 2024 Steve Prescott Man of Steel award as Super League player of the year and is expected to be one of the stars of the March 1 quadruple-header at Allegiant Stadium.
With Warrington and Wigan to open proceedings before two NRL games – Raiders v Warriors and Panthers v Sharks – and a women’s Test between the Jillaroos and England, the match is set to draw the biggest Australian audience for a Super League clash.
“I think that is why they chose us. We were probably the two best teams last year,” Dufty said.
“Wigan won (the grand final) but every time I have played in a Warrington-Wigan game the intensity is just off the charts.
"I think it’s going to be really, really good for the English game. You’ve probably got the two biggest teams in England playing each other and we have both got really good squads.
“I know Sam will bring good publicity for the sport so hopefully we can grow the game in America.”
Wigan and Warrington met three times last season, with the Warriors winning 19-18 in Round 13 and 18-8 in the Challenge Cup final at Wembley, while the Wolves triumphed 40-4 in Round 19.
“They are the games you want to be a part of,” Dufty told jetwinvip.com.
Obviously, you compare it to rivalries back home, and it’s got like an ANZAC Day feel, when the Dragons play the Roosters.
"It doesn’t mean as much to me because ANZAC Day is massive for me, but you can see what it means to the supporters on both sides. They are vocal, they are singing … it is a rivalry that goes back 100 years.
Dufty breaks the Roosters open up the middle
“We have got two of the best travelling fan bases, and it’s only a seven or eight-hour flight (to Vegas) so I think they will turn out in force, and they will be singing and dancing at the stadium.
After five seasons with St George Illawarra and one at Canterbury, Dufty joined Warrington in 2023 and admits he struggled to adapt to life in England until the arrival of Burgess from South Sydney last year.
Despite missing five matches last season, Dufty ran 4234 metres with the ball for Warrington - 12% more than his nearest Super League rival, Ryan Hall (3777m) - and scored 17 tries.
Finishing second behind Hull KR halfback Mikey Lewis for the Man of Steel award, Dufty said he was now enjoying playing under Burgess, who last year became the first Englishman inducted into the NRL Hall of Fame.
“I love life in England,” Dufty said. “I haven’t ruled out coming back but with Sammy as the coach he has bought back that love of footy for me.
Sammy has just bought back that love of the game, and I am playing with a smile on my face.
“I am good friends with Ben Hornby – he was probably one of the most influential people on my career - and Benny told me you and Sam are going to get on like a house on fire.
"I was a bit nervous when he first started but I can honestly say is one of the best coaches I have ever had. Not many people are as natural at coaching as he is.
"He has done nearly everything in the game and he is one of those people who when he tells you to do something you know he is saying it for all of the right reasons, and you want to do it for him.
“Last year was probably the best year of my career, and I put it down to Sammy being the coach.”
