News Drugs, sex, domestic violence: football's dark cover up

[blue bags]

Burgess and Luke had been partying at The Establishment, in Sydney's CBD, on November 5, 2018, after a farewell BBQ for their then-Souths teammate Jason Clark.


The 31-year-old (pictured) stood down from his coaching role at the NRL club on Friday after serious allegations about his marriage and wild lifestyle were published by The Australian


Julie and Luke were joined by lawyer Bryan Wrench (pictured) to meet with the NRL star in Coogee for talks on Saturday


Julie and Luke walk with lawyer Bryan Wrench walk through a car park in Coogee in Sydney's eastern suburbs

Burgess' wife Phoebe was reportedly heavily pregnant and at home while her husband celebrated over the course of the day.

According to the report, Phoebe called Mrs Burgess and asked her to retrieve her husband.

Julie quizzed hotel staff for the number of her son's hotel room and after close an hour trying was able to convince them to leave, the report claims.

'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.

The Australian article - which first published extensive bombshell claims - included text messages Burgess' ex-wife Phoebe allegedly sent to Hollywood actor Russell Crowe, who owns the NRL club, discussing a change in her then-husband's demeanor.

Staff members at South Sydney Rabbitohs have also been accused of ignoring Burgess' alleged indiscretions.



Sam Burgess' mum Julie (left) reportedly had to drag the NRL star home following one partying incident in Sydney's CBD in 2018


Serious allegations about Sam Burgess' marriage and wild lifestyle were published in a newspaper report. He is pictured with ex-wife Phoebe


Explosive claims about the 31-year-old former Rabbitohs player's wild lifestyle were published on Thursday by The Australian (The former NRL star is pictured in Mexico in October 2019)

Burgess has strongly denied all allegations published in The Australian.

'The allegations are false and constitute an indefensible defamation against my client,' Burgess' media lawyer Mark O'Brien said.

The newspaper claims to have uncovered text messages between Phoebe and Crowe from November 2018.

'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.'

The article also included text messages Burgess allegedly sent to Phoebe, after her initial conversation came to light.

'Phoebe why did you message RC saying everything,' Burgess allegedly wrote. 'What are you trying to solve here?'

The investigation by the newspaper also claims to have uncovered text messages between Phoebe and Russell Crowe - who owns the NRL club


Burgess and Phoebe broke up in December 2018, weeks after the birth of their son, Billy. Their divorce after four years of marriage was finalised in April. They also have a daughter, Poppy

+22


'I thought we had the world at our feet together,' Phoebe allegedly wrote to Russell Crowe about Sam Burgess

+22


The article also included text messages Burgess allegedly sent to Phoebe, after her initial conversation with the Hollywood actor came to light

NRL CEO Andrew Abdo said the league has launched an investigation into the claims but they will not take action based off allegations.

'The action we have taken is to initiate the investigation,' he said on 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 are '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.

'We will also cooperate with the NSW Police, who have also begun an investigation into the matter.
In the wake of the allegations, the 31-year-old stood down from his roles as Rabbitohs coaching assistant and Fox Sports commentator. Burgess is pictured in August


The former NRL star is seen carrying a woman on his shoulders during a party in Mexico in 2019






Phoebe Burgess shares video from self-isolation at home with family





Since his retirement in October 2019, Burgess has been a coach at former club South Sydney Rabbitohs

Burgess and Phoebe broke up in December 2018, weeks after the birth of their son, Billy.

Their divorce after four years of marriage was finalised in April.

They also have an older daughter, Poppy.

Burgess was 21 years old when he joined the Rabbitohs in 2010.

In two stints between 2008 and 2019 he played rugby league for England, including at the 2017 World Cup, and in 2007 represented Great Britain.

Burgess was lured to rugby union in 2014 and joined Bath in England.

In 2015, he was whisked into Stuart Lancaster's ill-fated World Cup squad just nine months after his union debut. England failed to get beyond the pool stage of their home tournament.

After they crashed out, Burgess quit union and tore up his contract with Bath, returning to Australia and the NRL.

He was medically retired last October after a spate of injuries, but stayed at the Rabbitohs where he has been working as a development coach with the squad.

Burgess will next face court in November over the domestic violence charges and AVO.






Phoebe Burgess shares video of herself walking outside in a maskShare or comment on this article:
Sam Burgess' ex-teammate the key witness in NSW Police probe

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/ar...ex-teammate-key-witness-NSW-Police-probe.html

 

[Quicksilver]

Paste a copy of that in the Book of Feuds.

 

[franklin2323]

Yeh, I know Sams a big bloke but its hard to believe the dad would just stand there and watch it unfold and do nothing, either at the time or afterwards.
I think we can all agree he's a sht for cheating on his Mrs, the use of medication thing sounds the worse part of the story if true, and the DV stuff sounds dubious given the only sources are two people with civil legal action pending against him.

He is a big bloke but a simple call to the cops would get the situation sorted

 

[Phil McGrawhan]

Those text messages prove nothing
News ltd slinging the shit again .
I have seen too many RL players crucified by the media to believe too much of what is claimed .
Lol the words EXPLOSIVE. Etc are just sensationalist bullshit .
I'll wait till it is over ..then if what is claimed is true then yes ..face they music Sam .

 

[Twizzle]

You left out the word SHOCK, one of their favs

 

[Exsilium]

I’m surprised the personal affairs of a retired footballer is such a hot topic.

You want news? Brandon Smith stole candy from a toddler....a toddler!

 

[Perth Red]

They're now stretching it out with a story of how his ex Mrs rang his mother to pick him up from a party? WTF?
The family seem a real class act for leaking these private conversations to News scum journos.

 

[blue bags]

Embattled footballer Sam Burgess has hit back at his ex-wife after she accused him of domestic violence in a newspaper article.

Burgess's lawyer Bryan Wrench suggested Phoebe Burgess or her father Mitchell Hooke might have committed contempt of court by co-operating with the media.

Mr Wrench raised his concerns during the mention of an apprehended violence order involving the South Sydney Rabbitohs legend at Moss Vale Local Court on Wednesday.

He said Phoebe Burgess had made a 50-page statement to police about her ex-husband which had never been seen by him but which appeared in The Australian newspaper.

'To be quite blunt, it appears that this is born out of either malice or retaliation,' Mr Wrench told the court.

At the same time Mr Wrench was making the allegations in court, just a 10-minute drive away it was business as usual at the Hooke farm.

Mr Hooke emerged from bushes at the front of the property when approached by Daily Mail Australia then retreated up the gravel driveway steering a ride-on mower.

He was joined at the stables by his wife Sarah and a cattle dog.

Embattled footballer Sam Burgess (pictured) has hit back at his ex-wife after she accused him of domestic violence in a newspaper article

Burgess's lawyer Bryan Wrench (pictured) suggested Phoebe Burgess or her father Mitchell Hooke might have committed contempt of court by co-operating with the media

Mr Wrench said Phoebe Burgess had made a 50-page statement to police about her ex-husband which had never been seen by him but which appeared in The Australian newspaper

Mr Wrench told the court that either Phoebe Burgess or Mitchell Hooke (pictured) 'have been engaged in long conversations with The Australian'

Asked via the intercom if Mr Hooke would like to discuss what had happened in court, a woman believed to be Mrs Hooke said: 'No comment, thank you.'

Mr Wrench said his client had launched separate court proceedings involving his ex-wife on September 24 and six days later she had made the 50-page statement to police.

That statement had never been filed in court or provided to Burgess but was quoted at length in The Australian in what Mr Wrench described as 'orchestrated propaganda'.

Mr Wrench said his client 'categorically denied' the allegations of domestic violence in the statement.

• Sam Burgess' mum and brother emerge after tense crunch talks with the embattled... A mother's unbreakable bond: Why Julie Burgess stood by her...

He said there was no lawful basis for parts of the statement to appear in the media before it was heard in court.

Magistrate Ian Cheetham asked Mr Wrench who he was suggesting could have committed contempt of court.

Mr Wrench replied that either Phoebe Burgess or Mr Hooke 'have been engaged in long conversations with The Australian'.

Burgess was hit with an apprehended violence order taken out by police on behalf of Mr Hooke after an alleged confrontation between the pair last October.

At the same time Mr Wrench was making the allegations in court, just a 10-minute drive away it was business as usual at the Hooke farm with Mitchell and Sarah Hook tending to their animals

Mr Hooke drives a ride-on wheelbarrow around his sprawling property, where Sam and Phoebe married in 2018

Phoebe's mother Sarah (pictured) smiles as she tends to a horse on the family's farm in the NSW Southern Highlands

+21
Mitch Hooke ran the Minerals Council of Australia where he led the charge against prime minister Kevin Rudd's failed mining tax. He is pictured with daughters Phoebe (centre) and Harriet. Mr Hooke was made a member of the Order of Australia in 2016 (pictured)

He has pleaded not guilty to intimidating his 63-year-old father-in-law, who he is banned from approaching or contacting.

Mr Wrench told the same court last year Mr Hooke had made false allegations against his client, and there had been 'no violence, no intimidation, no threats'.

Burgess denied any wrongdoing. 'He wishes to fight this matter,' Mr Wrench said.

Police were called to the Hooke family home at Glenquarry, just outside Bowral, on October 19 following an 'incident'.

It is alleged Burgess was at the property for an arranged visit with his two children who had been staying there with their 30-year-old mother.

Mr Hooke reportedly asked the dual code international to leave the property, which Burgess did, but police were called about 5pm.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/ar...akes-stunning-swipe-ex-wife-Phoebe-court.html

 

[blue bags]

A subsequent interim AVO taken out against Burgess banned him from going within 1km of the property or contacting Mr Hooke.

Mr Wrench told the court in December there had been no further 'incidents' since October 19.

'We do not want to contact the complainant,' he said. 'We have not done so since the day of the incident.'

Burgess was hit with an apprehended violence order taken out by police on behalf of his father-in law Mitch Hooke after an alleged confrontation between the pair last October. Mr Hooke is pictured with his daughter Phoebe

Mr Wrench (pictured at back) was part of crisis talks with Sam, his mum Julie and brother Luke (both pictured) at the footy star's Coogee home over the weekend

Lawyer for Sam Burgess refuses to comment on AVO
Mr Wrench told the court Burgess 'understood his obligations' under the order.

'He does not wish to make contact with the complainant, especially when he's made false allegations about what has occurred on this day,' Mr Wrench said.

Claims of Burgess's allegedly excessive partying and accusations about his conduct towards Phoebe were made in The Australian newspaper last week.

Burgess's media lawyer Mark O'Brien has said: 'The allegations are false and constitute an indefensible defamation against my client.'

'It is apparent sources of the false allegations are those currently in dispute with my client over various issues.'

The NRL's integrity unit has commenced an inquiry into the fresh Burgess allegations and the New South Wales Police Force has formed Strike Force Irrabella to investigate.

Staff members at Souths have also been accused of ignoring Burgess's alleged indiscretions.

South Sydney Rabbitohs legend Sam and his ex-wife Phoebe Burgess are pictured together. Bombshell allegations have been made in a newspaper article about his alleged excessive partying habits and behaviour towards Phoebe

The Hooke family has closed ranks around Phoebe since she split with her husband. The Hooke women are pictured left to right: mother Sarah, and sisters Harriet, Jemima and Phoebe with father Mitch at the back

Among the major allegations were claims about an incident inside the Burgess home at Maroubra, in Sydney's east, in November 2018 when the father-of-two was behaving erratically.

A former teammate of Burgess will be questioned by police over Zoom this week from the UK, where he is playing in the English Super League.

Jason Clark was the person Phoebe Burgess turned to during the 2018 incident with Sam at their home, The Australian reported.

Evidence Clark gives to police could form a key part of the investigation into Burgess and South Sydney, as well as the team's medical staff.

Clark had attended the couple's house along with Burgess' mother Julie, who had brought Sam and older brother Luke home from a city hotel.

Mr Hooke and his wife Sarah were also reportedly at the house.

Detectives have already interviewed Phoebe and visited several relevant locations, including an underground car park where Burgess allegedly received medical treatment.

A pharmacy linked to the club's doctor Andrew McDonald has also reportedly been visited by police.

Souths co-owner, Hollywood star Russell Crowe, could be called to give evidence before the NRL inquiry.

A close friend told The Daily Telegraph that Burgess was particularly upset about the allegations regarding his marriage to ex-wife Phoebe Burgess. The former couple is pictured together at a David Jones event in Sydney on February 7, 2018

Since his retirement in October 2019, Burgess has been a coach at former club South Sydney Rabbitohs. He has now stood down from that role

Burgess has been holed-up at his home in Coogee, in Sydney's east, since the allegations were published.

He stood down from his off-field coaching role with the club and commentary role with Fox League has been left 'devastated' by the accusations against him, a close friend told The Daily Telegraph.

'He is angry and feels like he doesn't have a voice,' the friend said.

'[The allegations are] something that is abhorrent to him, which makes it all the more harder to stomach.'

Souths CEO Blake Solly has said he knew nothing of the allegations made by The Australian until being contacted by journalists.

On Sunday morning, club coach Wayne Bennett also said he had only just become aware of the allegations.

The Burgess family gathered for crisis talks in Sydney over the weekend after bombshell allegations about Sam's marriage and wild lifestyle were published in a newspaper report. Burgess's mother Julie is pictured leaving the discussions followed by Burgess's lawyer Bryan Wrench

Sam Burgess' mum Julie (left) reportedly had to drag the NRL star home following one partying incident in Sydney's CBD in 2018

'I've been here since 2018 and I knew nothing about it until I'd been told in the last 24 hours,' Bennett said.

'I have never had a player or any staff member talk to me about it in any shape or form.

'They are allegations. When we get all the facts together and see this at the end of the day, we will take another position on it and make another statement.'

Ms Burgess remains with her family in Bowral, caring for the two young children she shares with Burgess.

Her manager Sharon Finnigan said: 'Phoebe is trying to get by and manage and care for her two children… She is doing her best as a single mother.'

Meanwhile in Coogee, Burgess's mother Julie and brother Luke met with the former NRL star on Saturday. They were joined by Mr Wrench.
Serious allegations about Sam Burgess' marriage and wild lifestyle were published in a newspaper report. He is pictured with ex-wife Phoebe

In the wake of the initial article in The Australian, more bombshell claims about Burgess have come to light.

They included Julie Burgess being required to pull Sam and Luke away from a swanky Sydney hotel where they were staying before the incident at Maroubra house.

Sam and Luke had been partying at The Establishment, in Sydney's central business district, on November 5, 2018, after a farewell barbeque for then teammate Clark.

Phoebe was pregnant and at home while her husband reportedly celebrated over the course of the day.

According to a report in the Telegraph, Phoebe called Mrs Burgess and asked her to find her husband.

Phoebe's father Mitch and mother Sarah are pictured with her 20-month-old son Billy. The couple lives in the New South Wales Southern Highlands

Mrs Burgess asked Establishment staff for the number of her sons' room and was eventually able to convince them to leave, the report claimed.

'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 had launched an investigation into the claims against Burgess but they would not take action based only on allegations.

'The action we have taken is to initiate the investigation,' he said on 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.'

Phoebe Burgess shares video of herself walking outside in a mask
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.

'We will also cooperate 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.'

The Burgesses married at Phoebe's parents home in December 2015 and separated in December 2018, weeks after the birth of their son Billy.

The couple had rekindled their relationship by April 2019 but split again last October.

Their divorce was finalised in April. They also have an older daughter, Poppy.

Burgess was medically retired last October after a spate of injuries, but stayed at the Rabbitohs where he has been working as a development coach with the squad.

He will next face court in November for a hearing over the domestic violence charge and AVO.

Souths co-owner, Hollywood star Russell Crowe, could be called to give evidence before the NRL inquiry. Burgess has been holed-up at his home in Coogee, in Sydney's east, since the allegations were published. Crowe is pictured with Burgess after Souths' 2014 grand final win

Sam Burgess takes stunning swipe at ex-wife Phoebe in court
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/ar...akes-stunning-swipe-ex-wife-Phoebe-court.html

 

[T-Boon]

This really is a nothing story and all the insistence the story writers make that it is 'explosive" etc is just funny.
How do they publish those text messages from spoilt white babe to Gladiator and then still pretend it is a big deal. "thought we had the world at our feet" is the big text message?
OMG.
I am officially not reading any more of this story or this thread..

 

[gerg]

This really is a nothing story and all the insistence the story writers make that it is 'explosive" etc is just funny.
How do they publish those text messages from spoilt white babe to Gladiator and then still pretend it is a big deal. "thought we had the world at our feet" is the big text message?
OMG.
I am officially not reading any more of this story or this thread..

Journos suggesting that this is some sort of hard hitting journalism. Reads more like Women's weekly/tv week bullshit.

 

[T-Boon]

Journos suggesting that this is some sort of hard hitting journalism. Reads more like Women's weekly/tv week bullshit.

Agreed. Hey maybe we can be friends? You usually hate me.

 

[Perth Red]

IS this really a bombshell claim???

In the wake of the initial article in The Australian, more bombshell claims about Burgess have come to light.

They included Julie Burgess being required to pull Sam and Luke away from a swanky Sydney hotel where they were staying before the incident at Maroubra house.

Sam and Luke had been partying at The Establishment, in Sydney's central business district, on November 5, 2018, after a farewell barbeque for then teammate Clark.

Phoebe was pregnant and at home while her husband reportedly celebrated over the course of the day.

According to a report in the Telegraph, Phoebe called Mrs Burgess and asked her to find her husband.

Geez if my wife sent my mum to come and find me when I was out partying with my mates I think id have something to say as well!

 

[T-Boon]

The story is really just about dropping a lot of big names in there. Maybe they could get Trumps name into the headline.

Burgess Trump Links
explosive new claims Burgess watched Trump show The Apprentice while lounging in his underpants. Covered up by Russell Crowe who said he knows nothing about it.

 

[gerg]

Agreed. Hey maybe we can be friends? You usually hate me.

I don't hate you at all. I do disagree with some of the garbage you write, but that's okay. Consider it banter.

 

[gerg]

The story is really just about dropping a lot of big names in there. Maybe they could get Trumps name into the headline.

Burgess Trump Links
explosive new claims Burgess watched Trump show The Apprentice while lounging in his underpants. Covered up by Russell Crowe who said he knows nothing about it.

It looks to me like they are just trying to discredit him or trash him through a relentless media campaign. Maybe they realise their legal proceedings are going to fail and now are just going for him in other ways. Like I said earlier why would the family be jeopardising the other proceedings by publishing their comments now? I think the claims that the nsw police have established a taskforce (or whatever) are very weird too. Most of the evidence is from his pissed off ex and her father. Hardly credible on its own.

 

[Zadar]

I’m surprised the personal affairs of a retired footballer is such a hot topic.

You want news? Brandon Smith stole candy from a toddler....a toddler!

was the toddler this little fella?

 

[THE CHAMP]

This really is a nothing story and all the insistence the story writers make that it is 'explosive" etc is just funny.
How do they publish those text messages from spoilt white babe to Gladiator and then still pretend it is a big deal. "thought we had the world at our feet" is the big text message?
OMG.
I am officially not reading any more of this story or this thread..

Your pledge lasted how long?
Great stuff

 

[THE CHAMP]

was the toddler this little fella?

View attachment 42714

This photo should be added to the dictionary under boofhead

 

[T-Boon]

Your pledge lasted how long?
Great stuff

I am not a man of my word when I am being T-Boon.