Russell Crowe may need to answer questions about Sam Burgess allegations

South Sydney co-owner Russell Crowe may be dragged into the scandal engulfing good friend and former Rabbitohs star Sam Burgess.

Actor and South Sydney co-owner Russell Crowe may have to front the NRL Integrity Unit to answer questions about explosive allegations levelled against former Rabbitoh Sam Burgess.

Burgess has stood down from his roles as a media commentator with Fox Sports and development coach with the Bunnies after a bombshell report in The Australian last week.

Burgess’ lawyer Mark O’Brien has vigorously denied the accusations, which included allegations of violence and substance abuse.

The NRL and NSW Police have launched investigations since the report emerged.

Fox Sports reporter James Hooper told NRL 360 on Monday night he believed there was every chance Crowe — who was instrumental in luring Burgess to the Rabbitohs from England in 2010 — would be dragged into the scandal given his high-profile position at the club.

“I think we’ll see it go right to the top at South Sydney in terms of Russell Crowe — I reckon he will have to go in and answer questions from the Integrity Unit,” Hooper said.

The Daily Telegraph reports no final decision has been made about whether Crowe would be called on to speak to the NRL’s integrity unit, while NRL 360 co-host Paul Kent asked whether fellow Souths co-owner James Packer would need to be questioned as well.

Russell Crowe was key to convincing Sam Burgess to join Souths and the pair formed a strong friendship. Picture: AAP/Dean Lewins

BURGESS QUESTION WIPES SMILE OFF BENNETT’S FACE

South Sydney’s 46-20 thrashing of the Newcastle Knights on Sunday had Rabbitohs fans — and even coach Wayne Bennett — smiling as the Rabbitohs bounced into the second week of the finals.

But Bennett’s mood darkened after Burgess was raised in his post-match press conference.

The veteran mentor wanted to talk about the game but when asked about the “difficult week for obvious reasons”, he turned icy.

“You guys don’t listen, that’s the thing that annoys me more than anything else,” Bennett said.

“I said two days ago that it had no impact on the team and it wasn’t going to have an impact on the team. Still hasn’t, won’t.

“I‘m just telling you, I coach the team, I know what’s going on in the organisation, it was never going to have an impact on the team.”

Bennett kept scowling when pressed on how he could be so confident the Burgess drama wouldn’t affect his team’s premiership tilt.

“Common sense would tell you that, I‘m not going into detail about it,” Bennett said. “You think about it.”

Crowe and Burgess were close during the Englishman’s time at Redfern.

BUNNIES ON A ROLL

Despite concerns the headlines about Burgess could derail the Rabbitohs’ finals campaign, they kept their cool to rebound from a 14-0 deficit and overrun the Knights in Sydney.

The Rabbitohs will play Parramatta on Saturday, with the winner progressing to the preliminary final to play for a spot in the grand final.

Halves Adam Reynolds and Cody Walker pulled the strings for Souths, winger Alex Johnston continued his red-hot try-scoring form with two four-pointers and hooker Damien Cook is finding form at the right end of the season, using his electric running game to tear the Knights apart around the ruck.

Originally published as Russell Crowe may need to answer questions about Sam Burgess allegations