Russell Crowe completed his takeover of South Sydney yesterday, as his consortium secured the 75% backing they needed from the Rabbitohs' members.

"My last words to members were 'let's vote yes, let's get into bed together, I hope you respect me in the morning'," said Crowe, a lifelong fan of one of the founding clubs of Australian rugby league.

"This has been a great day . . . sitting in that room hearing person after person talk about their love for the club."

Meanwhile Mark Gasnier, a member of Australia's Tri-nations squad, has held talks with the new Wallabies union coach John Connolly about a possible switch of codes for next year's World Cup.