Cameron McInnes not concerned by Luke Keary’s pre season incident with Russell Crowe

CAMERON McInnes has opened up on South Sydney’s controversial preseason get-together at Coffs Harbour.

SOUTH Sydney should never have let Issac Luke walk.

Not our words.

But those, apparently, of Bunnies owner Russell Crowe. At 2am.

McInnes has replaced Issac Luke as Rabbitohs hooker this season.

While holding court in that now notorious backyard bar of his, The Blind Rabbit.

“But if it was said, it wasn’t to me,’’ Cameron McInnes shrugs, chatting now on the eve of a Good Friday blockbuster with Canterbury.

“There was no argument between Russell and I. Not even footy talk.

“We did chat that night, but for no more than a couple of minutes. I just walked up, said ‘thanks for having us here’ ... that was about it.”

Of course, that wasn’t it.

Not even close.

McInnes has enjoyed a fine start to the season for the Rabbitohs.

Which is exactly what makes this 22-year-old Botany product so impressive.

For despite entering 2016 in a set of illuminated crosshairs — so who is this kid The Gladiator doesn’t rate? -- McInnes has knuckled down, sweated, starred.

Not only proving, yes, Souths can win without ‘Bully’, but that their new nine has a poise, a confidence belying his 23 top grade games.

So what’s his secret?

How does this fella whose ability, or otherwise, sparked a saga involving Crowe, Luke Keary, Sam Burgess, every member of the squad basically remove himself from the ensuing bunfight?

“I don’t read newspapers,” McInnes grins. “All that additional noise, I like to silence it out.

“So as big as (Coffs Harbour) seemed, it really wasn’t for me because, inside the club, we weren’t talking about. There was no conflict.

“I didn’t even know my name was linked until a fortnight later.

“When one of my mates phoned and said ‘hey, what’s going on with you and Souths?’.”

Apart from his print ban, McInnes may also be the world’s only gen Y athlete not on social media.

“I just prefer to stay in my own little world,’’ he continues. “Go to the beach. Walk my dog.

“I was on Facebook and Instagram, but spent so much time scrolling mindlessly.

“Eventually, as an experiment, I gave it up. I’ve felt better ever since.”

OK, but how about the whispers.

Like the team’s younger guys being upset Burgess didn’t back you against Crowe?

“Me and Sam? We’re tight as,’’ McInnes insists. “I remember the first week he arrived, I was still play juniors, Harold Matthews or SG Ball, and he came down to training and met every one of us.

Rabbitohs owner Russell Crowe.

“I was like ‘wow’. Couldn’t believe it.

“Then in my rookie year, when Issac Luke was injured, Sam would say to me ‘I’ve got total faith in you. Even if Bully doesn’t come back, I know you’ll take us all the way’.

“To be shown that faith, it’s invaluable. But that’s Sam, he’s been looking after me for two years now.”

Elsewhere, McInnes says he hasn’t spoken with Crowe since Coffs Harbour — “no, because there’s no issue” — while also describing he and Damien Cook, his ongoing rival for the Bunnies hooking role, as great mates whose goal “is to push each other as best as we can”.

So is there anyone who riles this Redfern rake?

“Well,” McInness laughs, “my dog did rip apart the lounge the other day.”

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Originally published as Cameron McInnes not concerned by Luke Keary’s pre season incident with Russell Crowe