Wayne Bennett’s partner took on one of his critics after the NRL coach was found guilty of violating the league’s strict bio-safety rules.
South Sydney mentor Bennett was fined $ 20,000 and forced out of the coaching box for two weeks after going to a restaurant with partner Dale Cage for lunch in Sydney’s inner west.
The 70-year-old defended himself, saying he did not know it was a violation of the restrictions to have lunch with his significant other – even though he was part of the NRL’s Project Apollo Committee that wrote the rules about what is and what is not. Not allowed at the age of COVID-19.
Bennett claimed he was “self-isolating” with his partner in the restaurant by staying away from other guests, but his excuses didn’t go down well. Many commentators said the super coach should have known better.
Essentially, all Sydney teams are confined to their homes unless they travel to and from games and training. You are not allowed to eat in cafes, restaurants or pubs.
Cage hit Bennett’s naysayers – or one in particular – with an Instagram post over the weekend.
“People in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones. The truth is going to harm some people #staytuned #benikin, “she wrote.
RELATED: Bennett struck for biosecurity violation
Ben Ikin is the host of the Fox League program NRL 360 slamming Bennett for his injury during the week, saying, “I think it was so irresponsible for someone you think would set the right example of an entire code to be the most skilled coach in the game.
“Instead, he showed up at a press conference today after he was caught. At some point he was confused, he wasn’t sure about the rules.
“I think he finished the press conference and called a journalist who is petty.
“It felt a bit arrogant to me, he made the mistake and should have just figured it out, and, you know, almost admitted to having a fight in the bubble and he broke out.
“Because from the phone calls I made, it is not known that there is not a single NRL employee, player or coach who is in the bubble and does not know these rules.”
Ikin wasn’t the only out-and-out critic of Bennett. Former Queensland homeland star Billy Moore also took aim.
“How is that possible? How can the most experienced coach in the competition not be aware of that?” Moore said Mark and Caroline on 92.7 Mix FM.
Wayne Bennett attacked and said, ‘I’m the victim here. The rules have changed, I didn’t know the rules had changed. ‘
“I couldn’t believe Wayne Bennett’s arrogance … like, ‘The rules don’t apply to me.’
“We saw the real character of Wayne Bennett, which is disappointing.
“What we saw when we were attacked for doing something wrong, we saw the dark side of Wayne and I found it very poor.”
Bennett missed the Rabbitohs’ 28:10 win over his former side Brisbane on Friday night and will also be absent when the Bunnies play North Queensland next weekend. His assistant Jason Demetriou is now in charge.
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