Knight meets Gladiator

Hollywood artist Russell Crowe was a popular face in the crowd at the TOFOG Sportsground for the 2005 Orara Valley Sevens yet it was the newest nation (Malta) on the rugby league scene gaining the attention, and even that of the Gladiator himself.

Watching Malta take on the Sydney Metro Aboriginal All-Stars, Crowe donned the sought-after Malta Knights jersey in his teasing support of Malta.

?I?m going for the red, and the white?.and black and yellow? Crowe joked.

Having resided in the Mediterranean island of Malta while filming Gladiator and organising a much talked about cricket match with a local Maltese cricket team, Crowe admitted he could almost qualify to also play for Malta thanks to the residency rule, following his debut for the Barbarians the previous day.

?yeah, just about? Crowe joked.

Sitting high above in the ground-announcer?s box area, Crowe posed in the Knights jersey to the joy of the Maltese in support.

?is he Maltese?? one fan asked.

MRLA Chairman George Tonna, also a renowned supporter of the South Sydney Rabbitohs showed his joy at fellow Rabbitoh?s supporter Crowe displaying the Malta jersey.

?go the rabbits? Tonna cheered.