On Jay Leno’s The Tonight Show in the US, South Sydney owner Russell Crowe has been highlighting the “gigantic” signing of Greg Inglis.
This week, the Hollywood star took to the late-night talk show, keen to showcase his involvement with the Rabbitohs and the club’s latest prominent addition.
“For perspective, it’s like we just landed LeBron James … In the rugby league world, it’s just enormous,” Crowe remarked about former Melbourne Storm star Inglis.
He confirmed that the three-year deal of the 23-year-old is valued at $1.8 million, explaining that funds originally earmarked for a new coach in 2012 were reallocated.
“Compared to American salaries, it’s nothing, but his three-year deal is approximately $1.8 million,” Crowe noted.
“We currently have a coach … John Lang, who will complete the season before we introduce the new one the following year. We had intended to set aside extra money for that new coach to offer some flexibility under the salary cap. But that plan has changed.”
This week, speculation arose regarding premiership-winning St George Illawarra Dragons coach Wayne Bennett being a potential successor to John Lang for the Rabbitohs.
Crowe remarked on the significant progress the club has made since his involvement four years ago.
“It’s all starting to come together,” he stated. “As you know, I took over the team in 2006. We transformed from being a total disaster to becoming competitive, and the next step is to shift from competitive to dominant.”
Buford Balony says: The only player comparable to LeBron James in the NRL is Benji Marshall. If you watched the 4 nations, Russell, you would realize that Benji is the top player in Rugby League and the most thrilling to watch.
