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A smile that hides a dark family battle: Sam Burgess poses for a grinning photo with his mum while cheering on the Rabbitohs - as the family rally around the star amidst bombshell allegations about his personal life

Embattled NRL star Sam Burgess has been pictured grinning with his mother Julie while watching his former team grind their way into the preliminary finals.

Mrs Burgess shared a photo of the pair on Saturday night as the family continues to rally around the 31-year-old following a raft of allegations about his personal life.   

'Soooooooooo happy,' Mrs Burgess captioned the photo after Burgess' former team the South Sydney Rabbitohs topped the Parramatta Eels 38-24. 

Earlier in the night she wrote 'let's go Rabbitohs' and 'love our team' as the pair watched Sam's younger brother Tom help his team secure a hard-fought win.

The blissful photo comes after an article in The Australian newspaper last week, which contained bombshell accusations about Burgess' behaviour towards his ex-wife Phoebe and claims of excessive partying. 

Sam Burgess's family have continued to rally around the embattled former star. Pictured: Burgess smiles with mother Julie following the South Sydney Rabbitohs victory in the NRL finals

Sam Burgess's family have continued to rally around the embattled former star. Pictured: Burgess smiles with mother Julie following the South Sydney Rabbitohs victory in the NRL finals

Sam's brother Thomas in action for the Rabbitohs during their 38 - 24 win over the Parramatta Eels

Sam's brother Thomas in action for the Rabbitohs during their 38 - 24 win over the Parramatta Eels

The claims have sparked an NRL Integrity Unit investigation as well as the launching of a police strike force, while Burgess has stood down from his off-field coaching role with the Rabbitohs and commentary role with Fox Sports. 

Burgess's media lawyer Mark O'Brien has said: 'The allegations are false and constitute an indefensible defamation against my client.

'It is apparent sources of the false allegations are those currently in dispute with my client over various issues.'

It comes after Burgess was hit with an apprehended violence order taken out by police on behalf of his ex-wife Phoebe's father Mitchell Hooke after an alleged confrontation between the pair last October.  

He has pleaded not guilty to intimidating his 63-year-old father-in-law, who he is banned from approaching or contacting. 

Burgess's lawyer Bryan Wrench suggested Phoebe Burgess or her father Mitchell Hooke might have committed contempt of court by co-operating with the media.

Mr Wrench raised his concerns during the mention of an apprehended violence order involving the South Sydney Rabbitohs legend at Moss Vale Local Court on Wednesday.

He said Phoebe Burgess had made a 50-page statement to police about her ex-husband which had never been seen by him but which appeared in The Australian newspaper.

'To be quite blunt, it appears that this is born out of either malice or retaliation,' Mr Wrench told the court. 

The NRL and police are investigating allegations about Burgess' personal life, including accusations of domestic violence with ex-wife Phoebe (pictured together)

The NRL and police are investigating allegations about Burgess' personal life, including accusations of domestic violence with ex-wife Phoebe (pictured together)

The NRL's integrity unit has commenced an inquiry into the allegations raised by The Australian and the New South Wales Police Force has formed Strike Force Irrabella to investigate.

Staff members at Souths have also been accused of ignoring Burgess's alleged indiscretions.

Among the major allegations were claims about an incident inside the Burgess home at Maroubra, in Sydney's east, in November 2018 when the father-of-two was behaving erratically.  

A former teammate of Burgess is due to be questioned by police over Zoom this week from the UK, where he is playing in the English Super League.

Jason Clark was the person Phoebe Burgess turned to during the 2018 incident with Sam at their home, The Australian reported.

Evidence Clark gives to police could form a key part of the investigation into Burgess and South Sydney, as well as the team's medical staff.

Burgess embraces former Rabbitohs team mate Jason Clark after a match in September 2018

Burgess embraces former Rabbitohs team mate Jason Clark after a match in September 2018

Phoebe Burgess (pictured) looks downcast amid allegations against her ex-husband Sam

Phoebe Burgess looks downcast amid allegations against her ex-husband Sam

Clark had attended the couple's house along with Burgess' mother Julie, who had brought Sam and older brother Luke home from a city hotel.

Mr Hooke and his wife Sarah were also reportedly at the house.

Detectives have already interviewed Phoebe and visited several relevant locations, including an underground car park where Burgess allegedly received medical treatment.

A pharmacy linked to the club's doctor Andrew McDonald has also reportedly been visited by police.

Souths co-owner, Hollywood star Russell Crowe, could be called to give evidence before the NRL inquiry.

Burgess has been holed-up at his home in Coogee, in Sydney's east, since the allegations were published.

He has been left 'devastated' by the accusations against him, a close friend told The Daily Telegraph.

Burgess at a Rabbitohs training session in Canberra in September 2019. A source close to him said he has been left devastated by the allegations

Burgess at a Rabbitohs training session in Canberra in September 2019. A source close to him said he has been left devastated by the allegations

'He is angry and feels like he doesn't have a voice,' the friend said.

'The allegations something that is abhorrent to him, which makes it all the more harder to stomach.'

Burgess retired last October after a spate of injuries but stayed at the club, where he has been working as a development coach. 

Souths CEO Mr Solly has said he knew nothing of the allegations made by The Australian until being contacted by journalists.

Club coach Wayne Bennett said was also unaware of the allegations.

'I've been here since 2018 and I knew nothing about it until I'd been told in the last 24 hours,' Bennett said.

Burgess and ex-wife Phoebe during happier times at the 2016 Dally M awards in Sydney

Burgess and ex-wife Phoebe during happier times at the 2016 Dally M awards in Sydney

'I have never had a player or any staff member talk to me about it in any shape or form.

'They are allegations. When we get all the facts together and see this at the end of the day, we will take another position on it and make another statement.'

Ms Burgess remains with her family in Bowral, caring for the two young children she shares with Burgess.

Her manager Sharon Finnigan said: 'Phoebe is trying to get by and manage and care for her two children… She is doing her best as a single mother.'

The former couple married at Phoebe's parents home in December 2015 and separated in December 2018, weeks after the birth of their son Billy.

The couple had rekindled their relationship by April 2019 but split again last October.

Their divorce was finalised in April. They also have an older daughter, Poppy.

Burgess (pictured with ex-wife Phoebe) has stepped down from his coaching role at Souths and denied all allegations

Burgess (pictured with ex-wife Phoebe) has stepped down from his coaching role at Souths and denied all allegations

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