Russell Crowe and new girlfriend spotted at South Sydney training

Russell Crowe has been spotted at South Sydney Rabbitohs training with new girlfriend Britney Theriot.

The club owner was seen riding his bike into Rabbitohs training at Redfern on Monday, before speaking to coach Wayne Bennett and assistant John Sutton.

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Crowe managed to avoid most of the cameras, staying away from the 15-minute period at the start of training where filming and photography are allowed.

However Nine News caught the moments he rode in with Theriot before speaking to Bennett in the stands.

Crowe was also seen holding a long conversation with South Sydney CEO Blake Solly.

Some of the players reportedly waved to Crowe as they left the field, but gun hooker Damien Cook later admitted he didn't even know he was there.

"I didn't even see him," Cook told Nine News.

"I think he must have took off. I didn't get a chance to see him."

Cook said it had been years since the club owner had addressed the playing group.

“Back in 2016 and 2017 when we weren’t travelling as well, there would be times he’d put on a dinner and try to lift our spirits,” Cook said, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.

“I remember there were a few dinners at China Doll. Most of the time we’d go to Souths Juniors.

“I think the last time he actually came in and spoke to us was before we played against the Roosters in 2018.

"He read from the Book of Feuds. He opened up this book and blew the dust off it and put on a bit of a performance. It was all in good fun.

“Hopefully we won’t need [any inspiration] from him at all this year and he can come in and watch the footy and enjoy it as a fan, and we can do a job for him.”

Souths hoping Adam Reynolds sticks around

Meanwhile, Cameron Murray believes it would be "a tragedy" if Adam Reynolds was to leave South Sydney, as players urged the Rabbitohs to find a way to re-sign their skipper.

Murray and Cook both said it would be painful to see Reynolds in another club's jersey, as the halfback negotiates for a deal longer than the one-season extension on offer.

The premiership-winning half is angling for a longer-term deal, with the Rabbitohs cautious of over-committing to the 30-year-old as they have done in the past with ageing stars Sam Burgess and Greg Inglis.

But amid preparations for round one, Murray spoke in glowing terms of his skipper.

"I can comment on how much I love Adam Reynolds and how much I love playing alongside him, and how much of a shame it would be to see him leave," Murray said.

"I'm not sure when or if a deal will be done but it would be a tragedy if he left.

"I really want Adam to stay here, he's the life of the club.

"He's been one of the leaders in our return to form since early 2010, he's been instrumental of the success of the Bunnies over the last decade and he's still at the top of his game now.

"Over the last couple of years under Wayne Bennett he's played some of his best footy.

"He's still got a lot to offer. He's a great leader for us, he's a great captain."

with AAP

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