- Russell Crowe backs Jason Demetriou to improve Souths’ fortunes
- The Hollywood superstar sent a message to the powers that be in the South after the game
- The Souths’ crisis threatens to derail their 2024 season
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South Sydney Rabbitohs owner and Hollywood superstar Russell Crowe has thrown his support behind coach Jason Demetriou after a disastrous loss to the Roosters on Friday night.
The Sydney Roosters handed Souths the biggest defeat of Demetriou’s tenure on Friday night, scoring eight tries in a 48-6 thrashing that pushed their rivals to the bottom of the ladder.
The clash at Allianz Stadium followed a similar story to the Rabbitohs’ first two defeats of the season, with errors putting pressure on the team defensively and frustrating their attack.
“It’s probably the lowest point of my career right now,” Demetriou said of the loss.
The trio of losses to start 2024 came after the Rabbitohs lost seven of their last 10 games last year and crashed out of final contention despite leading first place for 11 rounds.
South Sydney Rabbitohs owner Russell Crowe says he backs coach Jason Demetriou
The Sydney Roosters handed Souths the biggest loss of Demetriou’s tenure on Friday night.
Crowe sent a text message to club power brokers after the loss, where he made it clear that fortunes can improve as fast as they can go south, reports The Daily Telegraph.
The Bunnies powers that be expect the team to perform over the next three weeks.
Former Wayne Bennett protégé Demetriou insisted he was “extremely confident” he could inspire the Rabbitohs out of their latest funk.
“That’s my job, it’s up to me to guide the boys this week and make sure we’re fighting hard and getting ready to play (against Canterbury) on Good Friday,” he said.
“I’ve been with this group for a long time. I understand the group and I’m sure we are on the same page and working together.
“I have no doubt that I am the man who can change things but, ultimately, what I sit here and say has no bearing on what people are going to say.”
‘The noise is there. It’s there because we’re not winning and we’re not playing well.
“The only thing that will make the difference is training well, performing well next week and getting some results on the board.”
Neither Demetriou’s decision to promote Dean Hawkins to halfback nor the call-up to bench hooker Damien Cook could wake up the Rabbitohs.
The Rabbitohs also lost the first two games of the NRL season.
Demetriou said he was at “the lowest point of my career right now” on Friday night.
“We brought in Deano, who I thought did a good job for us,” Demetriou said.
“He’ll get better for having the run, but ‘Cookie’ came into the season at a disadvantage due to a calf injury, so it was a matter of trying to get the best out of him and get him back to running football.”
The coach was unsure whether next week’s first grade team would feature Ilias, who was hailed as “outstanding” by Demetriou in the 28-12 NSW Cup win over the Roosters.
‘No idea. We will look at the tapes and make a decision next week,” Demetriou said.