Russell Crowe’s brutal move amid Sam Burgess’ break-up with Rabbitohs

New details have been revealed about the blow-up that led to Sam Burgess leaving the South Sydney Rabbitohs as Russell Crowe got involved.

Russell Crowe (right) reportedly hung up the phone on Sam Burgess amid a discussion about the Rabbitohs' woes.

Russell Crowe’s attempt to repair the fractured South Sydney Rabbitohs coaching group ended with the club owner abruptly ending a phone call with longtime friend and now former assistant coach Sam Burgess.

Burgess this week dramatically walked out on the club where he delivered a premiership as a player after reportedly becoming frustrated with a drop in training standards and perceived coddling of star fullback Latrell Mitchell.

According to a Rabbitohs statement, Burgess exited just two weeks out from the start of the finals series to focus on his upcoming job at Warrington and the birth of his child.

However Fox League’s James Hooper described that explanation as “smoke and mirrors”, revealing intimate details of Burgess’ bust-up with the club, including owner Crowe and head coach Jason Demetriou.

“Make no mistake, there’s been a major fallout between Sam Burgess and Jason Demetriou. It’s been brewing in the background over the past couple of months,” Hooper said on NRL 360.

“What happened (Wednesday) was that all of South Sydney’s club management and also all of the players were called into an emergency meeting first thing this morning at 7am and by 8am, Sammy Burgess was out the door. They hadn’t been able to resolve their differences.”

Russell Crowe gave up after trying to play peacemaker. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

In an exclusive column for foxsports.com.au, Hooper revealed Crowe, Burgess and a Rabbitohs board member had been involved in a phone hook-up where the Englishman aired his frustrations.

“So on the phone hook-up there is Crowe, Burgess and one of the Rabbitohs board members attempting to thrash out a resolution in the best interests of the club,” Hooper wrote.

“After some robust conversation the Hollywood star had two key questions – is everyone on the same page and can everyone put the club first?

“Burgess has never been the type to fold under pressure or refrain from delivering an honest appraisal so the 2014 Clive Churchill Medallist didn’t flinch …

“With Crowe becoming increasingly frustrated with Burgess’ refusal to give an inch he asked big Sam again if the champion Rabbitohs forward could put the club first?

“When Sam continued to detail his list of grievances the Hollywood actor abruptly ended the phone call by hanging up. Yep, the engaged signal.”

Both Burgess and John Morris were in the firing line on Wednesday morning, however according to The Daily Telegraph’s Michael Carayannis, only Morris wished to “fall into line” at Souths.

“John Morris remains at Souths until the end of this year before going to the Tigers. The question was put to them – can you two fall in line? Sam Burgess said no, John Morris said yes and he remains,” Carayannis said.

John Morris and Sam Burgess. Picture: NRL Imagery.

Souths have been a club under fire over the past few days. The play and effort of Latrell Mitchell have been called out after a horror performance against the Knights on Sunday.

Carayannis also referenced the player-led standards or lack thereof that had frustrated Burgess during the Bunnies’ form slump.

“He doesn’t believe the senior players are doing enough to drive the standards to a level that is high enough to win a premiership,” he said.

Hooper does not believe Burgess’ bust-up with Crowe will last long and stunningly predicted the 2014 Clive Churchill Medalist could return as Rabbitohs head coach in the future.

“I don’t think this is the last we’re going to see of Sam Burgess in the NRL, he’s going to be back,” Hooper said.

“I have no question if things go pear shaped at South Sydney, as they have this season, I think the next head coach at the Rabbitohs will be Sam Burgess and it could be as early as 2025 if things don’t go according to script.”

Souths have lost four of their past 12 matches, and have slipped to eighth spot on the ladder. They will need to beat arch-rivals the Roosters in the last round to play finals footy.

– with foxsports.com.au