Russell Crowe reveals secret weapon in luring Robbie Farah to South Sydney Rabbitohs

EXCLUSIVE: South Sydney co-owner, Russell Crowe has revealed his “secret weapon” in luring Robbie Farah to Redfern

Russell Crowe says Robbie Farah will be welcomed at a “family club”.

SOUTH Sydney co-owner, Russell Crowe has revealed his “secret weapon” in luring Robbie Farah to Redfern — telling the champion hooker he would look “more handsome” in red and green.

The Hollywood star opened up to The Daily Telegraph on Farah’s celebrated signing, saying the ex-Wests Tigers skipper would be welcomed into a “family club” after two years of turmoil at Concord.

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Farah, who will officially start training with his new team early in November, signed a two-year deal after receiving a personal phone call from Crowe, who co-owns Souths with James Packer.

“Yes, I called Robbie at (CEO) Shane Richardson’s request. He’s had a long and storeyed career that deserves respect,” Crowe said.

Farah’s departure from the Tigers was highly emotional.

“We had a good chat. Passionate player, great football brain. Perfect fit.

“My recruiting secret? I told Robbie on the phone what all the players know, everyone is even more handsome in red and green.”

Crowe spoke openly about how Farah will gel with the club’s high-profile players and offered additional reasons why the NSW hooker was so attractive to the club.

“Robbie Farah is an elite athlete and he’ll be joining a squad of elite athletes and the most ambitious coach in the game and he will fit right in,” Crowe said.

Crowe was instrumental in getting Farah to Souths.

“It’s fair to say we miss Issac (Luke, Warriors hooker) around the sheds because he’s family and always will be. However Robbie is family too, walking in the door. His brother Eddie has worked at Souths for 10 years (as a physiotherapist).

“It will be a competitive environment, no one has been given a jersey for next year yet. I think he’ll thrive in the fresh air and camaraderie and the intensity of purpose that the boys share.

“To be able to bring him into the club to join GI (Greg Inglis) and Sam (Burgess), Adam (Reynolds), the (Burgess) twins and the rest of the team is a great bonus to our looming 2017 campaign. He’s a leader by example and fostering players like that is Michael Maguire’s specialty.”

Farah wants to retain his Origin spot.

Farah told The Daily Telegraph this week about his ambitions at Souths. He is looking for a flying start next season in a bid to retain his Blues jersey.

Asked about Crowe, Farah said: “Russell gave me a call in the early stages of negotiations which was a real shock. Initially, I missed his call because I never answer private numbers. But then to get his message, it’s not every day you get a call from somebody like that.

“So I got in touch and we had a good long chat. He sent me some text messages later as well. And for him to go out of his way like that — to go to that effort to convince me to sign — it really made me feel wanted again.”

Originally published as Russell Crowe reveals secret weapon in luring Robbie Farah to South Sydney Rabbitohs