Russell became close to the Burgess boys through Crowe's ownership of the team, which he and friends bought in 2006.
The news comes after the Daily Mail published pictures of Sam chatting to a pretty blonde at a party in Sydney on Boxing Day.
'He looked happy, seemed to be having a good time. I noticed he wasn't with his wife, but didn't think much of it,' a source told the publication.
'But then when I saw the news yesterday that they split, I thought for someone to be smiling like that when they've just left their wife is full-on.'
Phoebe was reportedly spending the Christmas period with her parents place in Bowral and the couple are believed to have split just before then.
Sam was pictured in the publication leaving the family's home in Sydney with three large suitcases and is believed to have gone to Russell's home shortly afterwards.
Phoebe is currently staying in the couple's home withe the support of her mother Sarah Hooke and sister Jemima Fairbanks and husband Gene.
Fans have shows support for the mother of two.
'I'm very sorry to hear what has happened,' one wrote. 'Sending all of my love during this difficult time.'
'Look after yourself, mama' another commented.
Others wrote: 'My heart is breaking for you' and 'You're doing an awesome job as a mum to a toddler and a newborn and you've got this.'
A source close to the pair told The Daily Telegraph that “things have been bad for a while”.
“They tried to keep it together but it all went to s**t, that's the honest truth. It is pretty messy,” the source said.
This article was first published by WHO.
