Global A-list supporters flock to support South Sydney and Sydney Roosters
Friday night will not only pit the Rabbitohs against the Roosters, it will also be Russell Crowe’s global celebrity A-list against Nick Politis’ rich and famous. Check out some of their famous fans.
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This will be Russell Crowe’s global celebrity A-list, including the current Australian Prime Minister, against Nick Politis’ rich and famous.
And they have a combined wealth of more than $30 billion.
South Sydney and the Sydney Roosters will play for a finals spot before 40,000 fans this Friday night – but the real glamour will be in the Accor Stadium private suites.
The Roosters and Rabbitohs have a remarkable VIP fan base – from politicians to billionaires, businessmen and sports stars.
They are Australian’s most influential movers and shakers. There aren’t two more glamorous sporting clubs in Australia.
Souths have PM Anthony Albanese standing in the red and green corner, along with co-owners Russell Crowe, James Packer and Mike Cannon-Brookes.
Crowe and Packer are known internationally.
There is former NSW Premier Nick Greiner, Olympic legend Cathy Freeman, Wallabies coach Eddie Jones, broadcaster Ray Martin, governor-general David Hurley, actor Chris Hemsworth, ex-Wallabies coach Michael Cheika, even global soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo.
And Crowe has also introduced Tom Cruise, Snoop Dogg, Oprah Winfrey, Eva Mendes, Ben Affleck, Dalai Lama and Burt Reynolds to his Rabbitohs.
In the opposition red, white and blue corner is Roosters chairman Nick Politis and high-profile board members Mark Bouris and Mark Fennessey.
There is ex-club director and Channel 9 CEO David Gyngell, cricketers Steve Smith and David Warner, Kings Cross identity John Ibrahim, former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, television personality Scott Cam and ex-governor- general Peter Cosgrove.
“Souths have a lot more glamour attached to their organisation than we have,” said Bouris, a Roosters board member and Sydney businessman.
RABBITOHS V ROOSTERS: SCROLL TO SEE THE RICH AND FAMOUS SUPPORTERS
“We’re a local mob. They are heavily star-studded, to be frank. But that’s okay, it’s all good. It’s good to see someone like Souths have that sort of support.
“We have had that support but not at their level for a long time. Whoever is running the show there is doing a fair job.
“I love every minute of it (the rivalry). It is so different and diverse relative to my day to day life. It gives me great please and is something I look forward. It excites me, it makes feel youthful.”
Prime Minister Albanese said he had a genuine “dislike’’ for the Roosters.
“There’s an antagonism there that’s also a bit of fun,” Albanese told The Daily Telegraph last August.
“But it’s a serious contest. It’s a dislike and I want to beat the Roosters.
“The Roosters took so many of our players – Ron Coote, Elwyn Walters and then right through until they pinched Craig Wing. Luke Keary, the list continues today. They seem to take a lot of our junior players too.
“I have a lot of mates who are Roosters supporters and we have good banter. We stir each other up. I always wear my South Sydney cap when we play tennis.”
Crowe’s fabled Book of Feuds dedicated thousands of words to their disliked neighbours.
“Forever in our shadow. Although they are indeed a foundation club, somewhere along the way the Roosters lost their soul. They simply don’t have the tradition, the stories or the romance that is South Sydney,” the book reads.
“There’s no escaping the cold hard facts that South Sydney was formed before Eastern Suburbs, has won far more premierships than Easts, Sydney City and Sydney Roosters combined, and has a much greater junior and fan base. In the end it comes down to the souls of the two clubs.”
Souths CEO Blake Solly said the intense competition between the Roosters and Rabbitohs was like no other.
“This rivalry is the match of any other in world sport,” Solly said. “It’s no surprise given the history and heritage of both clubs that people from all walks of life are drawn to them.
“In some ways, the clubs represent different values but each has extremely loyal and passionate members and fans.”
Governor-General David Hurley is also an avid Souths fan.
Asked if he disliked the Roosters in 2021, Hurley laughed: “Only when they win. They are a great club, they produce fantastic football teams and you have to respect them for that.
“But we just want to beat them. It’s in our genes, you’ve got to beat the Roosters.”
After the Roosters’ win in the 2019 grand final, where a contentious six again call crippled Canberra, Crowe tweeted: “Horses*** result in the NRL Grand Final. Yet another rugby league embarrassment. Raiders ripped off. #sixagain.”
THE RICH AND FAMOUS SUPPORTER BASE
SYDNEY ROOSTERS
NICK POLITIS: Australian businessman and 30-year Roosters chairman whose net wealth sits at $2.14 billion. Affectionately known as Uncle Nick and The Godfather. Under his guidance, the Sydney Roosters and Easts Group have $160m in net assets. Executive chairman of WFM Motors.
MARK BOURIS: Current chairman of financial planning company, Yellow Brick Road and founder of Wizard Home Loans. Hosted The Celebrity Apprentice Australia between 2011 and 2015 and later The Apprentice Australia. Awarded an Order of Australia in 2015. His net worth is said to be more than $200 million.
MARK FENNESSY: Film producer and entrepreneur. Chief executive of Endemol Shine Australia and president of Shine Network, the company behind The Voice, Masterchef, So You Think You Can Dance and Australia’s Next Top Model. Executive producer of five Olympic Games broadcasts.
STEVE SMITH: Australian and global cricket superstar. Lifetime Roosters fan who once smashed his phone when his Chooks lost late. Was in the Roosters dressing room after the 2019 grand final win and later took to social media to post: “What a win. Unbelieve effort.”
DAVID GYNGELL: Former Sydney Roosters director and ex-CEO of Nine Entertainment. Was on-field to celebrate the Roosters’ 2013 grand final win. He once said: “I love footy. I’m a Roosters man through and through.” The son of Australian television pioneer Bruce Gyngell.
DAVID WARNER: Famously rejected a cheeky request from PM and Souths tragic Anthony Albanese to start supporting the Rabbitohs. “No chance,” said Warner, who later posted: “Just an FYI, I am @sydneyroosters supporter.” He once claimed: “I was born in Paddington and am true to my colours.”
JOHN IBRAHIM: Notorious Kings Cross identity who has been a Roosters supporter for 35 years. Once said: “I’ve been a fan since I moved to the eastern suburbs. I love them.” Often said Roosters legend Anthony Minichiello was his favourite player.
MALCOM TURNBULL: Former Australian PM who was once snapped celebrating in the Roosters dressing room – wearing a red, white and blue tie and scarf – with Trent Robinson, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Blake Ferguson, Cooper Cronk and Boyd Cordner. In 2018, took to Facebook to post: “Great night of footy cheering on the Sydney Roosters to victory over the Cronulla Sharks.”
SCOTT CAM: Australian television presenter, Gold Logie winner and lifelong Roosters member. Once said: “Been a big Roosters man all my life.” Has once posed on social media wearing a Roosters jumper saying: “GO THE CHOOKS.” Best known for hosting The Block.
PETER COSGROVE: Retired and decorated Australian Army officer who served as the country’s 26th Governor-General between 2014 and 2029. A Roosters media statement once stated: “The Governor-General was raised in the eastern suburbs and grew up supporting the Roosters.”
HULK HOGAN: The WWE Hall of Fame wrestling legend was the face of the club’s ‘Roostermania’ membership drive in the mid-2000s. Hogan invited fans to join him in becoming a member and used the phrase “The Roosters are back, Jack” in the memorable campaign.
SOUTH SYDNEY
ANTHONY ALBANESE: Australian Prime Minister who is a South Sydney life member and former board member. Helped organise the famous fan marches up George Street to protest South Sydney’s NRL exclusion in 1999. Once said: “This is who we are – the absolute Pride of the League.”
RUSSELL CROWE: Hollywood Academy Award winner and 25 per cent co-owner of South Sydney. Will spruik his Rabbitohs to the world’s A-list, including Tom Cruise, Snoop Dog, Oprah Winfrey, Eva Mendes, Ben Afflick, Dalai Lama and Burt Reynolds. Took over the club alongside Peter Holmes a Court in 2006.
JAMES PACKER: Australian businessman and investor said to be worth $5.3 billion. Owns a 25 per cent share in Souths. While not as “hands on” as Crowe, James - the son of media mogul Kerry - claimed to be “honoured and privileged” at buying into Souths back in 2014.
MIKE CANNON-BROOKS: A tech philanthropist said to be worth a staggering $22.5 billion. Owns 25 per cent of Souths. Is co-founder and co-CEO of Atlassian, a global computer software company. Also has a minority stake in US NBA franchise, Utah Jazz.
NICK GREINER: Served as NSW Premier between 1988 and 1992. Made a South Sydney life member for his role in helping save the Rabbitohs after the club’s 1999 expulsion. A former club director, ex-NSW treasurer and Australian Consul-General in New York.
CRISTIANO RONALDO: Not a front-line fan but Russell Crowe once visited Madrid’s Valdebebas’ training fields and presented the Spanish soccer superstar with a Souths cap, which he instantly wore. Crowe later tweeted: “’Mission accomplished, Cristiano Ronaldo proudly wore the running rabbit.”
EDDIE JONES: Wallabies coach preparing for the rugby union World Cup. Supported Souths since he was aged five. Recently told the media that coaching Souths would be “fantastic, a dream.” He added: “I loved the old teams with Ronnie Coote, Bob McCarthy, John Sattler and Eric Simms.”
RAY MARTIN: Australian television journalist, five-time Gold Logie winner and current Souths board member. Started supporting the Rabbitohs in 1951. He once said: “For so many people here, the most important thing outside of their kids is South Sydney.”
CHRIS HEMSWORTH: Australia’s Hollywood actor was spotted in Souths’ dressing after a 2021 win over the Roosters. He famously pulled his white shirt over his head to reveal a ripped physique in front of Rabbitohs players. Was wearing a Souths cap after being a guest in Russell Crowe’s private suite.
DAVID HURLEY: Australia’s governor-general whose personal crest includes a red rabbit with green tail. Is surrounded by Souths memorabilia while working at Government House. He said last year: “I’ve got a South Sydney cap in my office. I have umpteen South Sydney jumpers signed by players.”
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