Russell Crowe accused of rugby foul play

Russell Crowe has been accused by an Australian rugby league coach of trying to lure several players to his favourite team.

Chris Anderson says Crowe is breaking the rugby league's anti-tampering laws by trying to lure Preston Campbell from Anderson's team the Sharks to South Sydney.

Campbell is the National Rugby League player of the year,.

Clubs are forbidden from making offers to players until after June 30.

Anderson claims Crowe has also been talking to St George-Illawarra player Nathan Blacklock.

"I heard two weeks ago Russell Crowe was ringing Preston and Blacklock trying to get them to go to Souths," Anderson said. "If that is the case, it's absolutely wrong."

But Anderson admits it is hard to do anything because Crowe is a fan and not a club official.

"The rules are in place to stop offers like that but clubs can just say they know nothing about it. That's the problem with these anti-tampering laws, it's hard to enforce them."

South Sydney was readmitted to the league this year after being kicked out 18 months ago, when the league said it was among several franchises not financially viable.