Greg Inglis Shares Memories of His First Call with Russell Crowe

Greg Inglis recently reminisced about the comical initial phone conversation he had with Russell Crowe, the renowned Hollywood star and co-owner of the South Sydney Rabbitohs.

Inglis made the move to the Rabbitohs ahead of the 2011 NRL season after spending his first six years with the Melbourne Storm, with Crowe playing a significant role in enticing him to the club.

During an appearance on The Circus podcast, Inglis recalled the excitement that surrounded his signing.

"When you signed with the Bunnies, Russell Crowe is talking to Jay Leno about the contract that they've just signed you on, and he's basically described it as signing LeBron James," co-host Ian Higgins stated.

Crowe, who has held a 25 percent ownership stake in the Rabbitohs since 2006, was instrumental in bringing Inglis onboard. However, Inglis was initially hesitant to engage with the Academy Award-winning actor.

"I didn't want to meet Russell, Gladiator is my all-time favourite movie. My all-time favourite movie. I didn't want to meet him," Inglis admitted about their first encounter.

"You know, it's like don't meet your heroes, that's what kept playing through in the back of my mind," he added.

In fact, Inglis initially dismissed Crowe's calls, thinking they were merely pranks from former boxing champion Anthony Mundine.

"(Crowe) called me a few times, but I hung up on him," he chuckled.