Rebecca Judd leads the army of WAGs rallying around Phoebe Burgess - as she breaks her silence on shocking claims about her ex-husband Sam
By
MONIQUE FRIEDLANDER FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA
PUBLISHED: 13:00 AEDT, 13 October 2020 | UPDATED: 14:31 AEDT, 13 October 2020
Football WAGs have thrown their support behind Phoebe Burgess after bombshell allegations were levelled against her ex-husband, Sam.
After sharing an emotional Instagram post about 'staying silent' amid the controversy on Sunday, the 31-year-old has been flooded with supportive comments from the wives and girlfriends of some of Australia's top athletes.
Leading the charge is Rebecca Judd, the wife of retired AFL great Chris Judd, who extended her sympathies by commenting three kissing-face emojis.
Showing their support: Rebecca Judd (left) has led the charge of WAGs rallying around Phoebe Burgess (right) after bombshell allegations were levelled against her ex-husband, Sam
Rebecca recently joined forces with Phoebe to promote the viral 'women supporting women' campaign, which centres around female solidarity.
Fellow AFL WAG Jessie Murphy (née Habermann), who is married to Carlton's Marc Murphy, also threw her support behind Phoebe by commenting two white love-heart emojis under Sunday's post.
Emma Hawkins, who is married to Geelong's Tom Hawkins, and Darius Boyd's wife, Kayla, also let their emojis do the talking by leaving a series of love hearts.
Speaking: Returning to Instagram after a 10-day hiatus on Sunday, Phoebe uploaded two photos taken at her parents' Southern Highlands estate. 'Simply because I was silent doesn't mean I didn't hear you, thank you for your kindness. Means the world to us,' she wrote
An emoji speaks a thousand words: Phoebe has received plenty of support from fellow WAGs
Phoebe Burgess shares video of herself walking outside in a mask
Returning to Instagram after a 10-day hiatus on Sunday, Phoebe uploaded two photos taken at her parents' Southern Highlands estate along with a poignant caption.
'Finding joy in the little things and my little people,' wrote Phoebe, who was pictured lounging on a haystack with her daughter, Poppy, three.
'Simply because I was silent doesn't mean I didn't hear you, thank you for your kindness. Means the world to us,' she added.
Sending love: Rebecca Judd, who is the wife of retired AFL great Chris Judd, extended her sympathies by commenting three kissing-face emojis
WAGs unite! Jessie Murphy (left), who is married to Carlton's Marc Murphy, threw her support behind Phoebe by commenting two white love-heart emojis under Sunday's post
Supportive: Emma Hawkins (left), who is married to Geelong's Tom Hawkins, and Darius Boyd's wife, Kayla (right), also let their emojis do the talking by leaving a series of love hearts
Phoebe Burgess offers glimpse of her parents' country estate
Phoebe shares Poppy and son, Billy, one, with her ex-husband, Sam Burgess, 31.
Her return to the spotlight comes after serious allegations about Sam's personal life were published in The Australian newspaper.
On October 2, he was formally stood down from his coaching role at the South Sydney Rabbitohs after the claims about his marriage and wild lifestyle were made.
Speaking out: Phoebe's return to the spotlight comes after serious allegations about Sam's personal life were published in The Australian newspaper. Pictured together in happier times
The NRL and NSW Police have both launched investigations into the allegations.
The lawyer acting for Sam Burgess, Mark O'Brien, has strongly denied all allegations.
'The allegations are false and constitute an indefensible defamation against my client,' Mr O'Brien said.
The article included text messages Phoebe allegedly sent to Hollywood star Russell Crowe, who part-owns the Rabbitohs NRL club, in November 2018.
Rabbitohs staff members have also been accused of covering up Sam's alleged indiscretions. It is not alleged that Russell was involved in any cover-up.
'I thought we had the world at our feet together,' Phoebe allegedly wrote to the actor. 'He might need a good friend because he is just not our Sam.'
Explosive claims: On October 2, Sam was stood down from his coaching role at the Rabbitohs after claims about his marriage and wild lifestyle were published in The Australian
The article also included text messages Sam allegedly sent to Phoebe, after her initial conversation with the club owner came to light.
'Phoebe why did you message RC saying everything,' Sam allegedly wrote. 'What are you trying to solve here?'
In the wake of the initial article, more bombshell claims about the 31-year-old footballer have come to light.
Denial: The lawyer acting for Burgess, Mark O'Brien, has strongly denied all allegations
Sam was staying with his brother Luke at The Establishment, in Sydney's CBD, on November 5, 2018, following a farewell BBQ for Souths player Jason Clark, The Daily Telegraph reported.
Phoebe was reportedly at home while her husband continued to stretch the festivities over a day.
According to the report, Sam returned home when his mother Julie - known to NRL fans as 'Mrs B' - descended on the swanky hotel in the early hours of the evening.
Julie allegedly asked hotel staff for the number of her son's hotel room and after an hour of convincing, she moved Sam and Luke into a car.
'Julie virtually had to drag Sam and Luke to her car by their ears, but somehow she got them out of that room and into her car,' a source claimed.
NRL CEO Andrew Abdo said the league has launched an investigation into the claims made by The Australian, but they will not take action based off allegations.
Texts: The article included texts Phoebe allegedly sent to Hollywood star Russell Crowe (right), who part owns the Rabbitohs NRL club. Rabbitohs staff have also been accused of covering up Sam's alleged indiscretions. It is not alleged that Russell was involved in any cover-up
'The action we have taken is to initiate the investigation,' he said last Friday.
'Because these are allegations, we don't have the facts before us, we're not going to be taking any further action until we have the information needed to do that.
'However, I believe that Sam Burgess has stood himself down from South Sydney Rabbitohs duties this weekend. And I also believe that he has stood down from Fox Sports as well.'
Mr Abdo said the claims against Burgess were 'very serious allegations'.
'We will look to work with the club to find out what happened and to get to the bottom of the facts,' he said.
More headlines: In the wake of the initial article, more bombshell claims about the 31-year-old footballer have come to light. One newspaper article alleged that his mother, Julie, dragged him and brother Luke home from a night of partying
'We will also co-operate with the NSW Police, who have also begun an investigation into the matter. If these allegations are proven, we will take the strongest possible action that we can.'
NSW Police said they would be conducting their own investigation.
South Sydney released a statement saying the allegations were 'very concerning' and they would be treated with the 'utmost seriousness'.
'There is no place in our society for violence, harassment or abuse against women. If anyone is found guilty of allegations of this nature, the club will take the strongest possible action,' a Rabbitohs spokesperson said.
Investigations: NRL CEO Andrew Abdo said the league had launched an investigation into the claims made by The Australian. Meanwhile, South Sydney released a statement saying the allegations were very concerning and they would be treated with the 'utmost seriousness'
Last year, an apprehended violence order against Sam Burgess was taken out by police to protect Phoebe's father, Mitchell Hooke.
The AVO came after an alleged domestic violence incident at Mr Hooke's property in Glenquarry, in the NSW Southern Highlands, on October 19.
Burgess was charged with domestic violence-related intimidation. He has pleaded not guilty. The matter is due in court in November.
AVO matter: Last year, an apprehended violence order against Sam Burgess was taken out by police to protect Phoebe's father Mitchell Hooke (left)
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Rebecca Judd leads an army of WAGs rallying around Phoebe Burgess amid husband Sam's drama
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