The Gladiator returned to the NRL on Sunday - along with South Sydney's pride.

Russell Crowe jetted in from Los Angeles on Sunday morning to watch his embattled Bunnies overcome another horror week to claim their first win of the season over North Queensland at ANZ Stadium.

The Academy Award winner reportedly arrived at the ground just as the Rabbitohs scored their first try midway through the first half and, after pumping his fist in triumph during the 28-24 win, was among the first to congratulate the players in the dressing rooms.

"He came into the dressing room and shook everyone's hands," said backrower David Kidwell, who was stripped of the co-captaincy last week after being one of five players to breach an alcohol ban.

"He's as passionate as any player, and it was great to see him. Bit of a surprise actually."

There was no great speeches, however, with Crowe making a hasty exit after singing along with the team song.

It was the first time the Hollywood star had been able to watch his beloved Bunnies in the flesh this season, and the team rewarded their co-owner by breaking a 10-game losing streak stretching back to last season.

The victory was also made the more remarkable given the club had dumped four players for failing a breath test last Saturday and the Cowboys were buoyed by the late inclusion of star fullback Matt Bowen from a knee injury.

"Things just stared to fall into place this week ... and I felt like Russell was going to be at the game, and he's just that sort of a bloke," said coach Jason Taylor, who side had lost their first seven games this season after reaching the finals for the first time in 18 years in 2007.

"I'm probably a bit more relieved (than excited).

"It was a really strong performance and I'm excited about where we can get ourselves as a team. But there's a fair bit of relief there too.

"They were the sort of games we were able to get away with last year and I thought we looked more like the team that represented Souths in 2007 today.

"We certainly haven't matched up until this point, so it was great."

Taylor said the four players dropped, as well as the rest of the Rabbitohs' NRL squad not playing today, also congratulated the team after their breakthrough win - something the coach said showed the solidarity at the club.

Despite the win, Souths remain in the NRL cellar, but have now cut the gap to four points from 15th place.

At the other end of the table, Brisbane leapfrogged the Gold Coast to claim the No.1 spot on points differential after eight rounds with the Titans losing just their second game of the season on Saturday night to slip to third.

The Titans were edged 13-12 by Newcastle at EnergyAustralia Stadium, with the Broncos defeating the Wests Tigers 34-22 at ANZ Stadium later that night.

Parramatta ended a three-game losing streak after coming from behind to overrun Penrith 26-18 at CUA Stadium, while in Sunday's other game, the New Zealand Warriors continued their perfect home record this season by beating Canberra 14-6 in Auckland.

Reigning premiers Melbourne improved to second spot after receiving two points for the bye.

Manly, the Sydney Roosters, Cronulla, the Bulldogs and St George Illawarra also had the weekend off with the representative season kicking off on Friday night when NSW City and Country played out a 22-22 draw in Wollongong.

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