Sam Burgess flees to Russell Crowe’s property in the wake of separation

Hollywood actor Russell Crowe is providing support to NRL star Sam Burgess who yesterday announced he had split from wife Phoebe. ‘Russell has always looked after the Burgess boys. They’re like sons to him,’ a source said.

• Sam and Phoebe’s fairytale marriage ends

Hollywood superstar Russell Crowe is providing support to NRL star Sam Burgess who yesterday announced he had split from wife Phoebe.

The Saturday Telegraph can reveal Burgess fled to Crowe’s Nana Glen property near Coffs Harbour, between Christmas and New Year’s Eve and is expected to return there this weekend.

Sam Burgess has been spending time at Russell Crowe’s property near Coffs Harbour since the split. Picture: Brett Costello

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Crowe and Burgess, 30, have built a close relationship ever since the Englishman first signed for the Gladiator actor’s beloved Rabbitohs in 2010. Since then, Sam’s three brothers George, Thomas and Luke have all played for South Sydney.

“Russell has always looked after the Burgess boys. They’re like sons to him. He isn’t interested in taking sides but will do whatever he can to help Sam through what is clearly a difficult time,” a source said.

Sam and Phoebe called time on their marriage just three weeks after the birth of their second child. Picture: Gregg Porteous

Sam Burgess is understood to be returning to Crowe’s property again this weekend. Picture: Dan Himbrechts

The couple spent time living overseas during Burgess’ stint playing rugby, before they were married. Picture: Instagram

Burgess and wife Phoebe — who have two children — are yet to comment on their marriage breakdown.

The split comes less than a month after the birth of Sam and Phoebe’s second child, a boy named Billy, who was born on December 9.

Phoebe Burgess WAS noticeably absent at the Burgess family Christmas lunch. Picture: Instagram

The couple, also parents to 23-month-old daughter Poppy, have told family and close friends the marriage is over. Rumours of a split were sparked by a social media post from Sam’s sister-in-law Joanna Burgess, partner of his brother and fellow Rabbitohs star George.

It showed Sam with his family at the Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel on Christmas Day — without Phoebe.

Phoebe and Sam Burgess announced the arrival of their second baby, William “Billy” Mark Burgess last month. Picture: Instagram

“Things have been bad for a while,” a source close to the couple said.

“They tried to keep it together but it all went to s. t, that’s the honest truth. It is pretty messy.”