NRL legend Wayne Bennett has denied any knowledge of the bomb claims made against Sam Burgess.
Former captain of the South Sydney Rabbitohs has been rocked by damn accusations that have been reported The Australianwho, along with his Fox Sports duties, saw him step down from his coaching role at the club.
Burgess has emphatically denied the allegations.
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Ahead of the Rabbitohs ‘elimination final against the Newcastle Knights, Bennett introduced the media, saying he was personally unaware of the allegations and turned down proposals that the people at the club knew about Burgess’ alleged conduct.
Burgess’ allegations took the shine from the competition when Bennett became frustrated by constant questioning of the former star.
“My main consideration is (the) game, but nobody wants to talk about it, so we could end this conversation,” he said.
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When asked about the alleged drug use, Bennett said it was the first time he’d heard from the club’s former skipper who took them.
“This is the first time I’ve known he’s doing drugs,” he said.
“I’ve never heard a rumor in the club about Sam Burgess taking drugs.”
Bennett was strong in his stance that no one in the club knew about Burgess’ alleged behavior and said the club would reevaluate once all the facts are gathered.
“That’s not true. It wasn’t very common in the club because I’ve been here since 18 and I didn’t know about it until I was told in the last 24 hours,” said Bennett.
“I have never let a player or employee talk to me about it in any way.
“They are reproaches. When we bring all the facts together and see this at the end of the day, we will take a different position on it and make another statement.
“Right now I’m not going to respond to allegations, I’m sure the club isn’t and the NRL isn’t.
“I will keep my powder dry because you might be wrong.”
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Bennett said the allegations won’t shake the playgroup’s mindset ahead of their must-win finale on Sunday afternoon.
NSW police confirmed Saturday that they had set up a strike group to investigate domestic violence and drug allegations against former Rabbitohs star Sam Burgess from South Sydney.
A spokeswoman told NCA NewsWire on Saturday that the investigation would be conducted under Strike Force Irrabella.
ARLC chairman Peter V’landys said the explosive allegations of drug abuse, violence and harassment cover-up for the protection of Burgess by a Rabbitohs club were “pretty serious”.
The allegations were vehemently denied by Burgess’ attorney.
“The allegations are false and constitute an unjustifiable slander against my client,” said Mark O’Brien The Australian.
“It is evident that the sources of the false allegations are those who are currently arguing with my client about various issues.”
WAYNE BENNETT MEDIA CONFERENCE
journalist: Wayne, how do you see what has developed? These are not normal headings.
Bennett: “The good news is that I don’t read the papers so I have no idea what the headlines are.
“As far as I know, the club takes care of this side, has no effect on the team.
“Sam isn’t part of the team in the sense that he’s not playing, and we’ve come this far this year without him.
“You can make as big a headline as you like, but I can tell you now that it won’t affect the playgroup here because it’s removed from us – it has nothing to do with us.”
journalist: What about Sam, did you talk to him?
Bennett: “I talked to him. ”
journalist: And how is he?
Bennett: “I don’t want to share any of my conversations with Sam Burgess or anyone else.”
journalist: Wayne, what about the reputation of the club here? It does not look good?
Bennett: “These are allegations. When you learn the facts and we see this at the end of the day, we will take a different position on it.
“Until then, I’d keep my powder dry because you might be wrong.”
Bennett: “(About the claim that Burgess’ alleged drug abuse was known in the club) That’s not true, it wasn’t common knowledge in the club because I had been here since ’18 (2018) and didn’t know anything about (alleged drug) until I was told in the past 24 hours.
“I’ve never had a player or a staff member (come to me) since I spoke to you about it here, in any form.
journalist: Have employees been stolen from you in the bubble, especially when there are allegations about the team doctor?
Bennett: “The team doctor is one of the most honest people I have worked with.
“He’s been here for 25 years and everyone who knows the team doctor knows his ethics and he’s doing a great job here.
“I wouldn’t jump with the gun on what the club doctor did or not.
“He will be with the team tomorrow (Sunday) – he wasn’t with the team this morning because he won’t come on Saturday morning – and there is no reason why he shouldn’t be (at today’s game).”
journalist: Wayne, what was your opinion on Sam Burgess before these allegations and has that changed now?
Bennett: “I’m not going to discuss my relationship with Sam, we know where we stand with each other.”
journalist: Will it even affect the team now that he is not in his (coach) role this weekend?
Bennett: “Not in any form.
“You have to understand, as much as it will upset you to believe that it will affect us, I can categorically tell you that it hasn’t affected us.”
journalist: Did he (Burgess) have such a big role – since it doesn’t concern you, is he not there now?
Bennett: “No, his role wasn’t that big.
“He came in the middle of the season, Sam is an important part of us, he’s a great guy, but the bottom line is it’s not a big influence on us.
journalist: Did you ever know Sam Burgess had a drug problem?
Bennett: “It’s the first time I’ve known that he (supposedly Burgess) is on drugs. I’ve never heard a rumor or whisper about Sam Burgess and drugs. ”
Bennett: “Look, just listen to what I’m saying, right?
“I haven’t seen any allegations against Sam Burgess for the past 24-48 hours. I have never been privy to a conversation with him or anyone.
“I don’t know what the club is like, I don’t know what text messages they have or emails from someone, it was never discussed.
“It wasn’t a problem, it was never discussed with me, so you are talking to the wrong person here when trying to get information.
journalist: How are you Wayne, are you the head coach?
Bennett: “I have a number of things in view, but I don’t want to express them in a press conference today.
“My main consideration is tomorrow’s game, but nobody wants to talk about it, so we could end this conversation.”
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