Russell Crowe text emerges with Rabbitohs in crisis

South Sydney co-owner Russell Crowe has sent a blunt text message with the Hollywood star’s NRL club in disarray.

Russell Crowe with the Rabbitohs. Pic Darren England.

Russell Crowe has sent a blunt text message to South Sydney officials while pressure builds on coach Jason Demetriou.

Demetriou’s men were blown off the park on Friday night as the Sydney Roosters dominated the struggling club with a 48-6 victory.

The Roosters’ win was their second-biggest victory ever over South Sydney in a rivalry that spans 116 years.

Watch every game of every round this NRL Telstra Premiership Season LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial today >

The loss slumps them to last place on the ladder for the first time in 14 years and puts them squarely behind the eight-ball in their bid to play finals in 2024.

They’ve now lost 12 of their past 16 games and are riding a five-game losing streak dating back to last season, with pressure mounting on the third-year coach.

While the rumblings about Demetriou’s future have begun to swirl, Wayne Bennett’s former understudy has a supporter of critical importance in Crowe.

According to The Daily Telegraph, the Hollywood megastar sent a message to the Rabbitohs’ top brass to remind them that things can change very quickly in rugby league.

The report also claimed Souths have declared Demetriou safe for now.

Crowe’s influence at the top of the club remains stronger than ever and he was reportedly involved in the mess that saw club champion Sam Burgess leave last year.

Russell Crowe during the NRL match between the Brisbane Broncos and the South Sydney Rabbitohs in Brisbane. Pic Darren England.

Burgess was reportedly forced to walk away as a result of his concerns about some players, including Latrell Mitchell and Cody Walker, receiving preferential treatment.

The club’s performances look almost unrecognisable from the team that was on top of the NRL ladder half way through the 2023 season.

It’s why Demetriou has no doubt been looking over his shoulder.

“It’s disappointing, it hurts, it’s probably the lowest point of my career right now but I know how we get out of it. We’ll fight and fight together,” Demetriou said after the Roosters loss.

“I’ve got a lot of trust in this group, they’re a great group, they care about each other and that’s probably our biggest problem at the moment, we don’t want to be in this position but we have to accept our reality and fight our way out of it. I know this group and I know they’ll get out of it.

Demetriou faces the press after the latest loss. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

“The only way to quieten down (the noise) is to get laser focus, ruthless with our preparation and go after the performance next week and each week if we can do that, we’ll improve and get it off our back and get our season running again.

“It’s just where we’re at, at the moment, the monkey is on our back and you can see that in our resolve at times and there is some effort there but it’s put into the wrong places.

“I told the players there is only one way out and that’s staying together and fighting and getting back on the horse.

“It’s a matter of just getting that first win. We’ve got to be more resilient to get that two points, nobody is going to give it to us.

“I’m extremely confident (I can turn it around), that’s my job, it’s on me to make sure we’re fighting hard and ready to play on Good Friday.”