February 7

Source: The Daily Telegraph

February 7, 2010

South Sydney's English import Sam Burgess was brought to tears yesterday when Hollywood actor Russell Crowe handed him a membership for his deceased father.

Two hours before his first appearance in a Rabbitohs jumper at Redfern Oval, Crowe took the 20-year-old to a corner of the ground and handed him a card. It was a club membership for his father Mark, who passed away in 2007.

"It's pretty special. It made the day," Burgess said. "I'll never forget it. It was a fairly touching moment."

Burgess had nursed his father - also a former league player - during the final years of his life before he died at the age of 45 from motor neurone disease.

The card also had two quotes that Burgess' father used to tell his son before every match.

"I told my dad I'd come over here at some stage of my career," Burgess said.

"It's really nice of the club to do it. It got a little bit upsetting, because I wish Dad could still be here. But even if I had a shocker, my dad would just be happy that I've done what I wanted to do - to play in Australia."

Asked what the sayings were, Burgess replied: "It's our secret. It's just a couple of tips. My dad used to coach and give me a few lines. I'm going to keep those to myself."

Burgess only played the first quarter, missing spectacularly when he attempted a tackle in the opening exchanges before hitting his mark seconds later.

In the 11th minute, he scored the Bunnies' first try of the game.

Souths' 1970 team was also honoured, including John Sattler, Bob McCarthy and Ron Coote.

"They've definitely got the personnel to do something special," Sattler said. "A premiership would not be out of order."

~ click on images for larger ~

Sam Burgess

Shane Richardson

With Keith Rogers and Nick Pappas

John Lang and Souths Legends Bob McCarthy and Ron Coote