NRL: Russell Crowe involved in bust-up over Kiwis hooker

The Warriors' recruitment of Kiwis hooker Issac Luke was at the centre of a South Sydney bust-up involving owner Russell Crowe. Photo / Getty Images.

The Warriors' recruitment of Kiwis hooker Issac Luke was at the centre of a South Sydney bust-up involving owner Russell Crowe.

Details have emerged over why Auckland-raised Hollywood star Crowe was forced to apologise to one of his players following the late night argument.

The Daily Telegraph says club owner Crowe opined it was a mistake to let Luke join the Auckland club, during a bonding session at his 320ha farm near Coffs Harbour.

Five-eighth Luke Keary then stepped in to defend the honour of hooker Cameron McInnes.

Crowe told Keary: "You didn't earn your money last season." The paper says it is understood Crowe, who had delivered "frank appraisals" of some young players, then kicked Keary off his Coffs Harbour farm.

Keary said: "Sometimes you say things on the piss, and when you're on the piss you can also take things the wrong way."

Crowe described the incident as banter that went too far. Player and owner are said to have reconciled.