Crowe makes a bunny of man of steel

[Newcastlerabbit]

Date
June 14, 2013


Brad Walter
Chief Rugby League Writer


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Russell Crowe appears not to have forgotten his feud with Warriors co-owner Eric Watson after advising England superstar Sam Tomkins against joining the New Zealand club.

Crowe made the comment during a light-hearted interview with Tomkins at the British premiere of his latest movie, Man of Steel, at which the South Sydney co-owner also sang the praises of the Rabbitohs players and coach Michael Maguire.

After being asked by Tomkins, who was working the red carpet for Sky Sport, whether Souths were ''missing a wiry English fullback'', Crowe reminded him about Greg Inglis. The Wigan superstar joked Inglis was ''not that good'' and played ''better in the centre''.


Help from on high: With His Holiness the Dalai Lama in their corner, surely this is the year for the Rabbitohs to end a 42-year title drought. Photo: AAP
Crowe replied: ''Remember when [Mark] 'Spud' Carroll came over here and talked big about how good he was going to go in the Super League and they smashed the shit out of him? Don't be one of those blokes. If you ever want to have a conversation … you are a brilliant player. But don't, whatever you do, go to a team in the NRL that is not in Australia.''

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Tomkins, named the 2012 Man of Steel as the Super League player of the year, has been linked with the Warriors and Crowe's comment followed his well-publicised fight with Watson in a Knightsbridge restaurant 10 years ago.

Asked by Tomkins what it took to become a man of steel, Crowe said: ''Well first you have got to play in the NRL. I would classify every South Sydney Rabbitohs player as a man of steel. It is a heavy game, rugby league, it takes a massive toll on your body and the way we play it you have also got to be pretty smart and switched on too so you have got to use your brain and your body at the same time.''

Told by Tomkins General Zod, the ''angry character'' in the movie, reminded him of Maguire, Crowe said: ''No, that is unfair. He was basically the link that we needed between the systems we had in place and the squad that we had. We just needed that general. Michael Maguire has come in, he has taken up that position and he is leading from the front. The greatest thing about him is that the players love to play hard for him and that is a real indication of leadership.'' Crowe also said Souths' success this season was ''thanks in a large way to our English connection''.



Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...an-of-steel-20130613-2o74b.html#ixzz2W7g0rHEX

 

[Newcastlerabbit]

South Sydney pair Roy Asotasi and Nathan Merritt score the blessing of the Dalai Lama
NICK WALSHAW THE DAILY TELEGRAPH JUNE 14, 2013 12:00AM

The 14th Dalai Lama meets with South Sydney Rabbitohs players Roy Asotasi and Nathan Merritt. Picture: Phil Hillyard Source: The Daily Telegraph
ROY Asotasi may have a white, Buddhist scarf draped around his neck, but the hulking prop is not at peace.

No, instead, he and fellow Rabbitoh Nathan Merritt are frantically rushing - at pace - for a taxi that's now impossibly long odds of getting them, on time, from here at the Hilton to a midday training session.

A run which, only that morning, coach Michael Maguire had warned his stars not to miss.

"But at least our excuse, it's solid," Asotasi said. "I mean, how can 'Madge' drop two blokes who've just had his entire side blessed by the Dalai Lama?" Yes, Souths fans, you heard right.

On a bizarre morning involving one holy man, two Bunnies and who knows how many wonderful Buddhists, The Daily Telegraph did truly witness His Holiness stroke a little black Rabbitoh logo on the front of a white, South Sydney cap - thereby giving his first ever blessing to an NRL side.

"Rabbit, very quick," the spiritual guru grinned, looking into a crowd that included designer Jenny Kee, comedian Mikey Robbins, even Kamahl. "Very quick. Very good."

And just like that the mighty Rabbitohs, the perennial battlers of rugby league, had attained the type of premiership advantage that once cost Melbourne $4 million and a speedboat.


The 14th Dalai Lama wearing a South Sydney Rabbitohs cap at a press conference at the Hilton Hotel, Sydney. Souths players Roy Asotasi and Nathan Merritt presented him with a cap and sweatshirt. Picture: Phil Hillyard
The Dalai Lama not only wore said Bunnies cap for the start and finish of his sermon, he clutched it in his left then right hand as what was supposed to be a short, sharp meeting of no more than 30 minutes stretched more than twice that, then another 15 minutes again.

Truly, Madge, you have no idea how tough it is to get blessed in this town. Your stars were just one small part of a Holy roadshow that not only included four camera crews, six Tibetan monks and 12 security guards, but questions on everything from Twitter to Tibetan self-immolations.

Even Kamahl threw 'em out from the floor. At one point he asked straight-faced: "Your Holiness ... why are people so unkind?"

Then came the two young females who, after announcing they had a question on behalf of young Australians, giggled: "Can we come sit with you?" Having been answered, somewhat incredibly, in the affirmative, the pair moved on stage where, on behalf of all Australian youth, they asked the Dalai Lama for a copy of his new book. Signed.

"Thankfully, he had a sense of humour," Asotasi said.

Indeed, after initially being mistaken for security guards by Team Dalai Lama - truly, that's what they had on their shirts - the Souths pair were then gifted white scarfs which would be placed around their necks if His Holyness chose to bless the only sportsmen on his guest list.

Problem was, after presenting said cap and Souths hoodie, the big fella urged them on stage for pictures and, amid the rush, someone ordered the players to fling their scarves around their necks.

So the boys did. And then from the crowd, someone asked how, after 42 years with no success, would it be okay if the boys from Redfern got a little peace, love and compassion? No drama.

"So 'Madge' should be okay with us being late," Merritt said.

"Especially if the blessing pays off."

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...f-the-dalai-lama/story-fni3fbgz-1226663476513

 

[chemics]

http://bcove.me/2iues2kk

 

[Big Sam]

http://bcove.me/2iues2kk

He's got a good TV presence, Tomkins. Can string some decent questions together which puts him ahead of 95% of the current players in the NRL.