Wayne Bennett could face a stint in quarantine after admitting he ate out at a Sydney restaurant on Wednesday, in a breach of the NRL’s biosecurity guidelines.
The NRL will investigate the South Sydney master coach’s visit, with details emerging on the eve of Friday’s grudge match against Brisbane.
It comes as the league braces for another scandal, with St George Illawarra’s Paul Vaughan reportedly admitting to Nine News he visited a Wollongong cafe on Thursday.
With the NRL likely to investigate, Vaughan could be ruled out of Thursday night’s clash with the Sydney Roosters amid claims he used a false name on entry.
Meanwhile Bennett on Thursday claimed he did not believe he was breaking the game’s rules and admitted he was confused over what he could and couldn’t do.
However, under the game’s biosecurity rules, players and selected club officials cannot have visitors or go to pubs, cafes or restaurants.
“I went for lunch at Grappa yesterday,” Bennett said.
“I wouldn’t have done it if I thought I did something wrong.
“If (isolation) is what’s got to happen, that’s their call. The rules have changed that many times about what we can do and can’t do.
“I didn’t think I was breaking rules yesterday because I wasn’t with a group, it was just me and my partner.
“I isolated, we didn’t sit near anywhere.”
The veteran coach claimed the confusion arose after he was able to shop at centres where there were numerous other people.
He also admitted he’d been out to lunch on previous occasions, but said the restaurant was not busy.
“At times I have been out, I thought it was alright,” Bennett said.
“I thought it was alright yesterday.
“I’m sure we’ve had moments, all of us. But I’m sure we all comply across the board.”
Bennett spent Thursday morning running South Sydney’s final training run for the clash with Brisbane, before being informed of the news.
If he is quarantined, he would be unable to coach in Friday night’s clash and likely be away from Rabbitohs training for at least a week.
Assistant Jason Demetriou would likely step up in his place, just two years after Brisbane knocked Bennett’s succession plan that would have seen Demetriou eventually replace him in Brisbane.
Bennett was a key member of the Project Apollo committee that spearheaded the game’s return in May.
He also told players last month if they didn’t want to adapt to the sport’s new biosecurity rules they should “just retire” and “go do something else”.
Penrith rookie Charlie Staines was asked to quarantine for a fortnight just last month after visiting Nepean Hospital with lockjaw.
While the hospital was considered a potential danger zone, part of the issue was that not all people the winger came into contact with could be tested.
Likewise, Newcastle youngster Bradman Best also missed a game earlier this season after being forced into a week’s quarantine after visiting family.
The Queensland Government has only agreed to have teams travel into and out of the state from NSW based on the NRL’s strict biosecurity guidelines.
Nico
Roar Rookie
I'm a big fan of Bennett's but I find his actions here pretty hard to fathom. Sure everyone makes mistakes especially in the new Covid-19 times but by not owning his stuff-up he's pretty much given a free pass to the next one of his players who commits a Paul Vaughan-style act of stupidity
Skidmarx
Guest
It appears that Sou ffs players and officials are all a bit thick in relation to these restrictions.
andrew
Roar Rookie
It was Siebold
andrew
Roar Rookie
No such luck
Marty
Roar Rookie
Don’t go to restaurants or cafes for a meal. It’s quite a complex instruction, you can see how he was confused.
andrew
Roar Rookie
Glad he's down in NSW, we don't want him back up here. Who's he kidding saying the rules confused him. He was on the committee that made the rules.
Nick
Roar Guru
No arguments here... but we don't run the joint
Big Daddy
Guest
If they'res one thing we have learnt from this and a member of the public has reported it, it shows the public have had a gutful of sportsmen being given privilege and abusing it wether it be players, coaches or officials.
Big Daddy
Guest
Spruce, have you ever seen an NRL fine that has not part of been suspended. They've had enough warning, fine them the full amount and also the club. If the club aren't aware what they're doing , just fine them for stupidity.
Big Daddy
Guest
And he'll probably get his Dally M points deducted.
Big Daddy
Guest
Larry, tend to agree , Bennett and Paul Vaughan have been stood down while SBW was supposed to have mingled with a fan gets the Green light while quarantine in his luxury pad with a special gym installed by either East's or the NRL. You can bet money the kid at South's will also get the go ahead. V'Landys making the rules up on the run, bit like Trump.
Nat
Roar Rookie
For Souths? Well Greenberg is gone so that may change the dynamic for 'do what you want' Souths organisation.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
:thumbup: Never was. Must say most Victorian seem to follow the ebb and flow and our state is the most whacked atm.
Larry1950
Guest
Yeah, 'rulebender' Peter V is sure to OK Wayne's slip up, fits in with the OK for the 17 year old prodigy to play for the bunnies next season & the leaked video of Staggs, allegedly by an ex-teammate. Interesting it only surfaced on the eve of the bunnies clash. Seems like the 'foundation clubs' get a clear run (Sonny Bill's ludicrous contract & the palatial family complex Uncle Nick's providing for self isolation) while the rest get the pineapple. Seems like just yesterday when Wayne used to rail against the Sydney clique being out to get the broncos, now he's the leader of their band.
Nick
Roar Guru
V'Landys will probably punish Bennett by transferring Suaalii to the Roosters outside of the salary cap. Cause it's in the best interests of the game...
farkurnell
Roar Rookie
The lessons from VIC are people relax and drop there guard with this virus.The NRL need to be proactive again and start re-education and reinforcing the Covid rules.; not assuming every one remember them and/or understand s the changes.
Aiden
Guest
Pretty sure that the rules around giving a false name have not changed. That's been fraud for a while now
Aiden
Guest
He'll be made to crawl naked to the Red Keep while being pelted by Gordon Tallis' soiled Broncos jerseys Execution, suspended.
Adam
Roar Guru
10k fine 8 suspended.
Adam
Roar Guru
I imagine the rules aren't that onerous to follow, especially for someone who is the coach. He is part of the panel that made the stinking rules as well! So not being sure of the rules is not an excuse