英超球队沃灵顿的前主帅山姆·伯吉斯为南悉尼兔子队的一笔引援立下了汗马功劳。[1]马特·迪夫蒂以每周4200澳元的合同加盟南悉尼，这一薪资由比赛奖金3000澳元和全职训练费1200澳元组成。[1]伯吉斯向南悉尼主帅韦恩·贝内特表示："我完全了解马特的能力。他在沃灵顿为我们效力时表现太棒了。"[1]
迪夫蒂决定离开英超联赛是因为伴侣梅格怀孕。[1]两人迎来了女儿玛戈特，迪夫蒂因此决定不再返回英国参加2026赛季。[1]沃灵顿承诺支付其大部分合同。[1]迪夫蒂曾先后效力圣乔治伊拉瓦拉队、坎特伯雷斗牛犬队和沃灵顿队，在后者期间他的职业生涯达到了新高峰。[1]自加盟南悉尼后，迪夫蒂表现出色，甚至压制了首选门卫杰伊·格雷。[1]迪夫蒂还提到伯吉斯已被邀请参加他的婚礼。[1]
Matt Dufty has joined South Sydney Rabbitohs on a contract worth $4,200 per week, a signing that owes much to the backing of his former Warrington Wolves boss Sam Burgess [1]. The deal comprises $3,000 in match payments and $1,200 in full-time training fees [1].
Dufty's decision to move to the NRL came after his partner Meg became pregnant with their daughter Margot, prompting him to leave English rugby league rather than return to the UK for the 2026 season [1]. Warrington agreed to cover most of his contract during the transition [1]. When Burgess spoke to South Sydney head coach Wayne Bennett about the prospect, he offered a glowing assessment of the fullback's abilities, telling Bennett: "I knew all about Matt's capabilities. He was so awesome for us at Warrington" [1].
The Rabbitohs' acquisition has proven astute, with Dufty quickly establishing himself in the squad and even challenging the incumbent first-choice fullback Jye Gray [1]. Dufty had previously played for St George Illawarra and Canterbury Bulldogs before his career peaked during his time at Warrington [1]. His gratitude toward Burgess runs deep—Dufty has revealed that the former international has been invited to his wedding [1].