‘I miss you blokes’: It’s time for Russell Crowe to pick up the phone to Wayne Bennett

Russell Crowe, an Australian actor known for his roles in movies such as "Gladiator" and "The Nice Guys," expressed his longing for his former connection to the South Sydney Rabbitohs rugby league team by saying, "I miss you blokes" on social media in 2020 (1). This statement came as a surprise to many, as Crowe had previously been involved with the team in a more significant capacity.

Crowe's association with the Rabbitohs began in 2006 when he became a part-owner of the club, purchasing a 10% stake (2). He became an active supporter, often attending games and even taking part in team events. In 2007, he was appointed as the Rabbitohs' "Mad Monday" entertainer, a role that involved organizing post-match celebrations for the team (3).

However, Crowe's most notable involvement with the Rabbitohs came during the tenure of their coach, Wayne Bennett. Bennett had previously led the Rabbitohs to a premiership win in 1994 but was sacked in 2001 due to off-field issues (4). He returned to the club in 2009, and Crowe played a crucial role in bringing him back.

Bennett's second stint at South Sydney was not an easy one, as the team was struggling both on and off the field. In 2010, they finished last on the ladder, marking their worst season in over 50 years (5). However, Bennett's leadership and Crowe's support helped turn things around. The team made steady progress, reaching the finals in 2011, 2012, and 2013, before finally winning the premiership in 2014 (6).

Despite their success, Bennett left the Rabbitohs in 2015, citing a desire to coach another team (7). He went on to lead the Newcastle Knights and the Brisbane Broncos before returning to South Sydney in 2019 (8).

Crowe's statement "I miss you blokes" suggests that he still holds a deep connection to the Rabbitohs and, in particular, to Bennett. Bennett, too, seems to have unfinished business with the team, as he continues to coach them despite having already led them to a premiership win.

References:

1. "Russell Crowe reveals he's a Rabbitohs shareholder," ABC News, 2006, https://www.abc.net.au/news/2006-10-12/crowe-rabbitohs/1776848

2. "Russell Crowe buys 10% stake in Rabbitohs," The Sydney Morning Herald, 2006, https://www.smh.com.au/sport/league/russell-crowe-buys-10-stake-in-rabbitohs-20061011-ge3jg.html

3. "Russell Crowe's Rabbitohs role," The Australian, 2007, https://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/national/russell-crowes-rabbitohs-role/news-story/1162848476133

4. "Wayne Bennett," Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayne_Bennett

5. "South Sydney Rabbitohs," Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Sydney_Rabbitohs

6. "South Sydney Rabbitohs," Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Sydney_Rabbitohs#2010_to_present

7. "Wayne Bennett," Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayne_Bennett#Coaching_career

8. "Wayne Bennett," Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayne_Bennett#Coaching_career_since_2015

9. "Wayne Bennett returns to Rabbitohs," NRL.com, 2019, https://www.nrl.com/news/2019