The NRL and lawyers for former South Sydney forward Sam Burgess have responded to a damning report from The Australian that went live on the eve of the NRL Finals.

A long-form article revealed some very ugly scenes from the Rabbitohs legend’s turbulent marriage to his ex-wife. It included several reports of abusive behaviour from Burgess toward the mother of his children and others.

In response, Burgess’ lawyer Mark O’Brien went on the front foot.

“The allegations are false and constitute an indefensible defamation against my client,” Mr O’Brien told The Australian.

“It is apparent sources of the false allegations are those currently in dispute with my client over various issues.”

ARLC Chairman Peter V’landys confirmed the NRL would investigate the matter.

“We’ll investigate them, no doubt about that,’’ he told 2GB.

“But I stress, all parties including the South Sydney club, Sam Burgess deserve due process and natural justice.

“Once we have all the information we’ll make the appropriate decisions.

“It would be totally inappropriate for me to comment on this particular case, I don’t have sufficient facts.

“And like anyone else in the community you have to provide due process and natural justice and Sam should be afforded that.

“But in this instance I think the appropriate action would be to investigate it, get all the facts and make a judgment after that.’’