Russell Crowe takes blame for rugby team scuffle

LONDON - Hollywood star Russell Crowe has apologised and taken the responsibility for a tussle between his rugby team members during the end-of-season party.

The 45-year-old actor, who co-owns Australia’s South Sydney Rabbitohs club, has blamed himself for failing to talk to his team’s coach and letting the situation get out of hand.

In a letter printed in the Daily Telegraph, Crowe has gone public with his statements over ace player David Fa’alogo scuffle with coach Jason Taylor earlier this year.

Although the Oscar winning actor was not present during the brawl he believes he could have managed his team better.he Daily Express quoted him as writing in the letter: “I blame myself for not acting on instinct and calling Jason to remind him of the pressures surrounding the game and the importance of being a sobering influence on the players.

“I blame myself that no matter the examples we have put in front of Jason and the many functions we have had as a group that no incident has arisen from, the lessons did not hit home with him and he has not adhered to the methods and standards set by example.”

The actor says the incident reminded him of his own violent behaviour.

He writes: “I truly know what it is like to have an incident blow up in your face and cause shockwaves through your life. In the past I have put my parents and my wife and my extended family through some terrible times and I’m sorry for every moment of those public floggings that they have received the residual fallout from. I have learned to own and take responsibility for those times when I haven’t been my best.”

Crowe had made news in 2005 when he threw a telephone at a New York hotel worker. (ANI)