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Peter Cassidy | rugbyleaguelive.com | 08/07/08 | 0
AUDIO - Russell Crowe opens up
Hollywood star-cum-South Sydney co-owner Russell Crowe knows a thing or two about fairytale endings, but even he knows such scripts are the product of hard work and spirit.
Sporting his customary Rabbit-emblazoned bomber jacket, pony-tail and permanent look of nervous frustration – Crowe last night stood tall over the ANZ Stadium crowd from his private box, accepting his team's fourth consecutive win as just reward for "a lot of effort".
"It's coming together nicely," the very public face of South Sydney told Triple M Radio after his team's dramatic 34-30 golden-point win over the Bulldogs.
"It's not been the best beginning to the season but the spirit amongst the players has never actually waned and I think we're now seeing the results of that spirit on the field."
A disastrous start to 2008 saw the Rabbitohs - once touted as serious finals contenders - slide to the back of the pack on the back of seven consecutive losses.
The lean streak on the paddock inevitably lead to questions over the state of the club - and Crowe admitted it has been a tougher road than he expected.
"It takes a lot of effort," said Crowe.
"It's very difficult for me to fit everything I want to do with the team into my life because I have a very busy life as it is.
"It's a lot larger commitment than I would have guessed first up... but this is where we are and we'll be pushing the same way that we pushed last year, that we're pushing this year and we'll push next year... and that's for ongoing success at this club.”
Crowe was quick to dismiss suggestions he is in the process of lessening his involvement in the club, but said co-owner Peter Holmes-a-Court will be stepping aside from his commitments for the short term.
"I'm always going to be involved in the South Sydney Rabbitohs in one way or the other," said Crowe.
"But Pete's going to have a break. He's going to be away for a couple of months to clear his head.
"I think one of the things that surprised him is that he always thought he could be - to a large degree - dispassionate.
"But that's never been the calling card of South Sydney... and he came in the door, he got involved, and the next thing you know he's the one with his sleeves rolled up yelling abuse at the officials... and basically creating his whole life around the team."
Amid rumours of a personal falling out between the pair, Crowe wanted to clear the air.
"There's no personal fallout... but there's also a certain point when you've got to tap somebody else on the shoulder and say 'hold on a sec mate, somebody else can take the ball this time'".
Crowe was filming in the States during the early rounds of the season, but his return to Australia has coincided with the Rabbitohs return to form.
Yet when it was suggested the team can only perform with him in the stands, Crowe was dismissive.
"I don't necessarily believe that at all."
"I don't think it needs me to be around, but there certainly has to be leadership that everybody understands at the club.
"With Nick Pappas back at chairman of the board and Shane Richardson back at CEO, we have the quality of leadership that perhaps we were starting to miss."
The Rabbitohs' four-game winning streak has propelled them to within five competition points of the top-eight, but they'll face a real litmus test in their quest for finals football when they host the Eels on Saturday.
The spirit amongst the players has never actually waned and I think we're now seeing the results of that spirit on the field...
Russell Crowe
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