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Crowe hoping for better from Souths

By Ian McCullough 28/08/2009 05:56:28 PM Comments (0)

South Sydney co-owner Russell Crowe believes the future of the NRL club is bright despite another disappointing season which the Hollywood superstar admits "was not good enough".

Crowe, who was in Sydney to announce a new shirt sleeve sponsorship deal between Souths and V8 Supercars at ANZ Stadium on Friday, said the team's failure to make the finals was big disappointment and he expects better.

"I want to win every year, there is not a single game or minute when it comes to South Sydney where my principle instinct is nothing but winning," Crowe said.

"It's just not good enough and it is not what we are geared to do. But there is another guy around here who I know is a focused as I am and that is (coach) Jason Taylor."

Despite finishing out of the top eight with two rounds of the season remaining following last week's 40-10 loss to Penrith, Crowe said is plenty of positives to take from 2009.

"Step by step we are getting to where we want to be, this season is the first time a South Sydney squad has scored more than 500 points in a season," he said.

"Step by step we getting to where we want to achieve, and that is to be a regular powerhouse in the NRL."

That goal may well be helped by the recruitment of young English prop Sam Burgess, widely considered to be one of the most exciting forwards in the world.

The 20-year-old Bradford star met Crowe on the set of his latest film Robin Hood in England last month and Crowe said he was very confident of beating Manly and Wests Tigers to his signature.

Crowe also said the recruitment of Brisbane prop David Taylor, who will join next season, could be a major factor in attracting Burgess.

"He is very keen to join South Sydney, he has one green eye and one red eye already," Crowe said.

"He is a big fan of Dave Taylor and played against him in schoolboy internationals and he is keen to play in the same team as him."

Chief executive Shane Richardson said the club still have some work to do to complete the deal, but echoed Crowe's confidence that Burgess will be pulling on the red and green jumper soon.

"We still have a bit to go to get Sam but we are not far away and confident," Richardson said.

"He is contracted to Bradford for next year so I don't want to comment about when he will come, but the sooner we get him here the better."

Crowe also threw his support behind under-fire Taylor, who has only reached the finals once in three seasons.

"Jason is part of the team and that is not going to change," he said.

"We are creating a team in the mould that Jason needs to be successful in the NRL."

Crowe also poured cold water on any suggestion the club would be in the market to sign Jarryd Hayne and revealed the NSW origin star's mother said he will be staying with Parramatta.

"Jarryd Hayne has made it clear he wants to stay at Parramatta, I don't think anybody is in the market for him," Crowe said

"He is going to be staying at the Eels, he wants to stay and be successful at the club he has grown up with. And that comes from him mum I believe."

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