Former South Sydney Rabbitohs captain Sam Burgess has revealed the extraordinary Hollywood-style stunt that convinced him to sign with the NRL club—a prank call orchestrated by none other than Russell Crowe, featuring cricket legend Shane Warne and Hollywood A-lister Leonardo DiCaprio.
The Star-Studded Prank
Burgess, who became a Rabbitohs icon, recalled the moment he received a surprise phone call from Crowe, who was then co-owner of the club. The Oscar-winning actor roped in his famous friends to play a role in convincing the young English forward to move to Australia.
"I was in my kitchen in England when my phone rang," Burgess said. "Russell was on the line, and suddenly Shane Warne and Leonardo DiCaprio jumped in. I thought it was a wind-up at first!"
How the Call Unfolded
The conversation, which Burgess initially believed to be a joke, quickly turned into a full-blown recruitment pitch. Crowe, known for his passion for the Rabbitohs, used his Hollywood connections to add an irresistible twist.
- Crowe introduced Burgess to Warne, who vouched for the club's culture.
- DiCaprio, seemingly amused by the situation, chimed in with playful banter.
- Burgess was left stunned but ultimately convinced that South Sydney was the right move.
The Rabbitohs Legacy
Burgess went on to become one of the club's greatest players, leading them to a historic premiership in 2014. Reflecting on the prank, he admitted it was a "genius move" by Crowe to make the offer unforgettable.
"Only Russell could pull something like that off," Burgess laughed. "But it worked—I was sold!"
