Rabbitohs lose but owner left crowing

Martin Boulton
January 28, 2008

HIS beloved South Sydney Rabbitohs lost their Australia Day challenge against English Super League champion Leeds in Jacksonville, Florida, but actor Russell Crowe didn’t walk away empty-handed. Crowe, who co-owns the Rabbitohs, was presented with one of two motorcycles in the team’s colours by local customisers, Orange County Choppers, before the start of the game at Hodges Stadium. A crowd of about 12,000, including golfing great Greg Norman, seven-time world surfing champion Layne Beachley and former NBA star Dennis Rodman, watched the depleted Rabbitohs rally from a 26-0 half-time deficit. The Rhinos had won their three previous pre-season games and held the upper hand over the Rabbitohs, who were having their first hitout of the year in match conditions. A near full-strength Leeds squad stacked with Great Britain, New Zealand and England representatives held out the Rabbitohs, 26-24. “I’m very pleased with that,” Crowe said, referring to his side’s second-half fightback, not his new wheels.

Source http://www.theage.com.au/news/sport/super-bowl-ambush-has-nfl-in-a-flap/2008/01/27/1201368946709.html