'Toxic': Sam Burgess ex levels explosive cover-up claims at NRL

Sam Burgess' former wife leaked her police statement to a national newspaper to combat the "toxic" covering-up culture of the NRL, a court has heard.

Phoebe Burgess appeared before the Moss Vale Local Court on Monday after allegations her ex-husband threatened her father in his NSW Southern Highlands home in October 2019.

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Burgess' lawyer Phillip Boulten SC has accused his former wife of trying to destroy his reputation following the publication of an explosive front-page article in The Australian.

But Ms Burgess said journalists approached her about rumours, and she handed over a document prepared for her lawyer "instead of covering it up, which is so typical of the system I was part of, that I believe is toxic within the NRL".

Former South Sydney captain Burgess, 31, has pleaded not guilty to stalking or intimidating with the intention to cause fear or physical harm, while an apprehended violence order has been taken out on behalf of Mr Hooke by the police.

Burgess' defence also accused her father of telling his son-in-law during the argument: "I'm going to destroy you, if it's the last thing I do I'm going to destroy you and your career".

Mitchell Hooke denies the allegation and said the ex-NRL star exploded in a rage when he asked him to leave the property.

The former Minerals Council chief executive said Burgess was yelling into his face from about 20cm away, repeatedly telling him: "I'm going to get you".

"I remember the finger and it being right in my face," he said.

"And the look, I've not seen it before. He was wild. He was yelling. Not quite screaming but yelling, loud and aggressive in my face, it was enraged hate.

"I was terrified, I've never felt fear like it. My whole body went cold."

Burgess continued to hurl expletive-riddled abuse at the 64-year-old man as he got into his car before taking pictures photographs and speeding away, he said.

Mr Hooke's daughter Phoebe Burgess also gave evidence about how distressing the event had been on her father.

"He was emotional and shaky, he wasn't making a lot of sense, saying he's OK: 'He's gone, he had wild eyes ... he just came at me'," she said.

"Never seen my father quite like that before... he was wobbly on his feet."

Court hears phone call to police

Shortly after returning to the Glenquarry home, Ms Burgess decided to phone the police.

'Dad, you don't know what he's like, you don't know what he's capable of," she said at the time.

Her distressed phone call to triple zero was played before the court where Ms Burgess tells the operator everyone is fine "but I just need to report it cause he's still in the area and he's really angry".

She later adds that "He's done this to me too, he's done this to me".

Burgess' defence has accused her and her father of seeking legal advice before calling the police shortly after the incident occurred, with phone records showing both did contact lawyers.

Before Ms Burgess left the stand she became teary, saying it was against her instinct to call the police.

"I thought it was the ultimate betrayal, I didn't want to call the police."

CCTV footage was played in court showing Burgess interacting and taking pictures with fans while drinking four beers at the Royal Hotel at Bowral before he was due to visit the Southern Highlands home.

Burgess retired in 2019 after a 270-game NRL and English Super League career.

He stood down from roles as a commentator and South Sydney assistant coach in October.

The hearing is expected to continue early next year.

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