EXCLUSIVE: Sam Burgess' mum and brother emerge after tense crunch talks with the embattled NRL star as more bombshell allegations about his lifestyle are revealed
The Burgess family have gathered for a three-hour crisis talk in Sydney after bombshell allegations about Sam's marriage and wild lifestyle were published in a newspaper report.
The 31-year-old stood down from his coaching role at the South Sydney Rabbitohs on Friday after the claims were published in The Australian.
The NRL and NSW Police have both launched investigations into the allegations.
Burgess' mother Julie and brother Luke met with the former NRL star in Coogee, the city's eastern suburbs, on Saturday. They were joined by lawyer Bryan Wrench.
The footballer's mother, who relocated to Australia to be with her English-born sons, wore a large grey hoodie over black leggings.
The Burgess family have gathered for a three-hour crisis talk in Sydney after bombshell allegations about Sam's marriage and wild lifestyle were published in a newspaper report. Pictured: Julie Burgess
Burgess' mother Julie and brother Luke met with the former NRL star in Coogee, the city's eastern suburbs, on Saturday
Julie and Luke were joined by lawyer Bryan Wrench to meet with the NRL star in Coogee for talks on Saturday
The mum-of-four pulled the hood over her head and wore sunglasses to help cover her face.
Luke, 33, was dressed in a light blue T-shirt and white shorts. Mr Wrench, who was carrying a laptop for the meeting, also donned shorts.
The trio were snapped in a car park after a lengthy discussion with Burgess.
The sighting comes as NSW Police review the allegations levelled at the father-of-two.
They have set up Strike Force Irrabella for the probe.
'An investigation has been commenced by the Organised Crime Squad under Strike Force Irrabella,' a spokesperson said.
The footballer's mother, who moved relocated to Australia to be with her English-born sons, wore a large grey hoodie over black leggings
The sighting comes as NSW Police proceed with their investigation into the allegations levelled at the father-of-two
Julie and Luke walk with lawyer Bryan Wrench walk through a car park in Coogee in Sydney's eastern suburbs
In the wake of the initial article, more bombshell claims about the English-born NRL star have come to light.
Burgess was staying with his older brother Luke at The Establishment, in Sydney's CBD, on November 5, 2018, following a farewell BBQ for Souths player Jason Clark, The Daily Telegraph reported.
Burgess' wife Phoebe was reportedly at home while her husband continued to stretch the festivities over a day.
According to the report, the former Rabbitohs captain returned home when his mum Julie - known to NRL fans as 'Mrs B' - descended on the swanky hotel during the early hours of the evening.
Julie quizzed hotel staff for the number of her son's hotel room and after an hour of convincing, she moved Sam and Luke into a car, the report claims.
Sam Burgess' mum Julie reportedly had to drag the NRL star home by the ears
The 31-year-old stood down from his coaching role at the NRL club on Friday after serious allegations about his marriage and wild lifestyle were published by The Australian
'Julie virtually had to drag Sam and Luke to her car by their ears, but somehow she got them out of that room and into her car,' a source claimed.
The Australian article - which first published extensive bombshell claims - included text messages Burgess' ex-wife Phoebe allegedly sent to Hollywood actor Russell Crowe, who owns the NRL club.
Staff members at South Sydney Rabbitohs have also been accused of covering up Burgess' alleged indiscretions.
The lawyer acting for Burgess, Mark O'Brien, strongly denied all allegations.
'The allegations are false and constitute an indefensible defamation against my client,' Mr O'Brien said.
Serious allegations about Sam Burgess' marriage and wild lifestyle were published in a newspaper report. He is pictured with ex-wife Phoebe
Explosive claims about the 31-year-old former Rabbitohs player's wild lifestyle were published on Thursday night by The Australian. The former NRL star is pictured in Mexico in October 2019
In the wake of the allegations, the 31-year-old stood down from his roles as Rabbitohs coaching assistant and Fox Sports commentator. Burgess is pictured in August
The four-month investigation by the newspaper also claims to have uncovered text messages between Phoebe and Russell Crowe - who owns the NRL club
The newspaper claims to have uncovered text messages between Phoebe and Crowe in November 2018.
'I thought we had the world at our feet together,' Phoebe allegedly wrote to the actor.
'He might need a good friend because he is just not our Sam.'
The article also included text messages Burgess allegedly sent to Phoebe, after her initial conversation came to light.
'Phoebe why did you message RC saying everything,' Burgess allegedly wrote.
'What are you trying to solve here.'
Burgess and Phoebe broke up in December 2018, weeks after the birth of their son, Billy. Their divorce after four years of marriage was finalised in April. They also have a daughter, Poppy
'I thought we had the world at our feet together,' Phoebe allegedly wrote to Russell Crowe about Sam Burgess
The article also included text messages Burgess allegedly sent to Phoebe, after her initial conversation with the Hollywood actor came to light
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NRL CEO Andrew Abdo said the league has launched an investigation into the claims but they will not take action based off allegations.
'The action we have taken is to initiate the investigation,' he said on Friday.
'Because these are allegations, we don't have the facts before us, we're not going to be taking any further action until we have the information needed to do that.
'However, I believe that Sam Burgess has stood himself down from South Sydney Rabbitohs duties this weekend.'
'And I also believe that he has stood down from Fox Sports as well.'
The former couple are seen together at a David Jones event in Sydney on February 7, 2018
NRL CEO Andrew Abdo (pictured on Friday) said the claims against Burgess are 'very serious allegations', which are 'new information' to the league
Mr Abdo said the claims against Burgess are 'very serious allegations'.
'We will look to work with the club to find out what happened and to get to the bottom of the facts.
'We will also cooperate with the NSW Police, who have also begun an investigation into the matter.
'If these allegations are proven, we will take the strongest possible action that we can.'
NSW Police said they would be conducting their own investigation.
South Sydney released a statement saying the allegations were very concerning and they would be treated with the 'utmost seriousness'.
'There is no place in our society for violence, harrassment or abuse against women. If anyone is found guilty of allegations of this nature, the club will take the strongest possible action.'
The former NRL star is seen carrying a woman on his shoulders during a party in Mexico in 2019
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Last year, an apprehended violence order against Sam Burgess was taken out by police to protect Phoebe's father Mitchell Hooke.
The AVO came after an alleged domestic violence incident at Mr Hooke's property in Glenquarry, in the NSW Southern Highlands, on October 19.
Burgess was charged with domestic violence-related intimidation. He has pleaded not guilty.
The matter is due in court in November.
Burgess and Phoebe broke up in December 2018, weeks after the birth of their son, Billy.
Their divorce after four years of marriage was finalised in April.
They also have a daughter, Poppy.
Burgess and Phoebe together have two children, Poppy and Billy
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Burgess was 21 years old when he joined the Rabbitohs in 2010.
In two stints between 2008 and 2019 he played rugby league for England, including at the 2017 World Cup, and in 2007 represented Great Britain.
Burgess was lured to rugby union in 2014 and joined Bath in England.
In 2015, he was whisked into Stuart Lancaster's ill-fated World Cup squad just nine months after his union debut. England failed to get beyond the pool stage of their home tournament.
After they crashed out, Burgess quit union and tore up his contract with Bath, returning to Australia and rugby league.
He retired last October, but stayed at the Rabbitohs where he is now a coach.
Since his retirement in October 2019, Burgess has been a coach at former club South Sydney Rabbitohs