South Sydney Rabbitohs owned by Russell Crowe won the Premiership of Australia after 43 years. The chairman of the team is Nick Pappas (Papanastaciou) is described by Crowe as «his hero», hailing his contribution in winning the first premiership in 43 years.

The Hollywood superstar who bought the club in 2006, with the help of Nick Pappas, restored the club to being one of the game’s superpowers 12 years after they were readmitted into the competition.

Nicholas Pappas is a solicitor from Sydney. He was also chairman of the club from April 2003 to June 2006. Pappas was restored to the chairman’s position in early 2008. Pappas has a PHD in Economic History and has written several books about the history of his parents” homeland, Castellorizo in Greece.

Pappas is also Chairman of Souths Cares and the South Sydney District Rugby League Football Club Member Company, the instrument which represents the interests of the Club Members who hold a 25% share of ownership.He is council of the Australian Archaeological Institute at Athens and Board Member of the Steve Waugh Foundation.