Sam Burgess has been confronted by police and threatened with arrest outside his ex-partner's home when the former NRL star tried to visit his children with a car full of Christmas presents.
The incident unraveled as the 33-year-old arrived at the front gate of Phoebe Burgess's sprawling property in Bowral, 120km south of Sydney, on Sunday.
Daily Mail Australia understands the South Sydney legend was there to pick up Poppy, four, and Billy, two, in what was meant to be the first time seeing his kids since before Christmas.
The encounter lasted about 10 minutes, with officers warning Burgess he would be arrested if he refused to leave.
Burgess then drove away without incident, with his young children's gifts still sitting on the back seat.
Sam Burgess (pictured leaving court in February, 2021) was involved in a tense standoff with police at his ex partner's home when the former NRL star tried to visit the couple's children with a carload full of Christmas presents
Daily Mail Australia understands the South Sydney legend was there to pick up Poppy, four, and Billy, two (pictured with Phoebe), in his first visit since before Christmas
Daily Mail Australia has sought comment from NSW Police.
The divorced couple have had a tumultuous time in recent years with various high-profile court battles.
Sam and Phoebe tied the knot in 2015 and were separated by 2018, before getting back together in 2019 and then officially calling it off just a few months later.
Phoebe had accused the footballer of domestic violence and drug and alcohol abuse during their marriage, sparking a year-long investigation.
The allegations cost the English rugby league great his coaching job with the Rabbitohs as well as commentary work for Fox Sports.
But investigators dropped the matter in October last year ruling he had no case to answer.
Burgess (pictured with Poppy and Billy) eventually drove away without incident - with the children's gifts still sitting on the back seat
