Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett addresses Sam Burgess scandal
At his weekly media conference ahead of South Sydney’s elimination final, Wayne Bennett was bombarded with questions about the Sam Burgess scandal. It comes as NSW Police confirm a strike force has been set up to investigate the allegations.
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Nobody does siege mentality better than Wayne Bennett.
In the wake of the Sam Burgess saga, it was the old master who faced the cameras after the Rabbitohs’ final training session ahead of their elimination final against Newcastle at ANZ Stadium this afternoon.
Under NRL policy, every head coach must speak to the media the day before a game.
So there Bennett stood answering two “footy” questions from “Rabbitohs Radio” before the biggest talking point in the NRL took over.
Bennett played the straight bat as the press sent questions down at the supercoach, who denied any knowledge of anything to do with the allegations laid against Burgess.
NSW Police have confirmed a strike force has been set up to investigate the allegations raised by Burgess’ ex-wife Phoebe on Wednesday. She presented a 50-page affidavit to Southern Highland Police.
Burgess, through his lawyer, has strenuously denied all allegations and no charges have been laid. NSW Police said the lengthy and complicated probe would be conducted under Strike Force Irrabella.
Bennett did admit he’d spoken to Burgess, but wouldn’t add anything further about their chat.
He reiterated that at no point have the players in Nos.1-17 been distracted by the stunning Burgess headlines.
“No impact,’’ he said.
WATCH WAYNE BENNETT IN THE VIDEO PLAYER ABOVE
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RISE AND FALL: BURGESS’ 11-YEAR CAREER IN THE HEADLINES
Bennett was seemingly annoyed with the probe of questions as the press conference pushed past six minutes on the Burgess topic.
“My major consideration is (the) game, but nobody wants to talk about that, so we might wind this conversation up,’’ he said.
But was he truly frustrated with the line of questioning?
Or was it just perfectly sweet for the coach who has made a career out of circling the wagons — his players.
By 6pm Sunday, the scoreboard will show us just how much the old coach manages — and enjoys — a crisis like few do.
EXCERPT OF THE WAYNE BENNETT MEDIA CONFERENCE
Journalist: Wayne, what’s your perspective of what has unfolded? These aren’t normal headlines.
Bennett: “The good news is I don’t read the papers, so I’ve got no idea what the headlines are.
“As far as I know the club is handling that side of it, it has no impact on the team whatsoever.
“Sam is not a part of the team in the sense that he’s not playing, and we’ve come this far without him this year.
“You can make out as big a headline as you like, but I can tell you now, it’s not going to impact the playing group here because it’s distant from us — it’s got nothing to do with us.”
Journalist: What about Sam, have you spoken to him?
Bennett: “I’ve spoken to him.’’
Journalist: And how is he?
Bennett: “I don’t want to share any of my conversations with Sam Burgess or anybody else.”
Journalist: Wayne, what about the club’s reputation here. It’s not a good look?
Bennett: “They’re allegations. When you get the facts and we see this at the end of the day, we’ll take another position on it.
“Until then, I’d keep my powder dry because you might be wrong.”
Bennett: “(On the claim Burgess’s alleged substance abuse was known at the club) That is not true, it wasn’t widely known within the club because I’d been here since ‘18 (2018) and I knew nothing about (alleged drug issue) until I was told in the last 24 hours.
“I’ve never had a player or any staff member (come to me), since I’ve been here talking to you about it, in any shape or form.
Journalist: Wayne, what about the club’s reputation here. It’s not a good look?
Bennett: “They’re allegations. When you get the facts and we see this at the end of the day, we’ll take another position on it. Until then, I’d keep my powder dry because you might be wrong.”
Bennett: “(On the claim Burgess’s alleged substance abuse was known at the club) That is not true, it wasn’t widely known within the club because I’d been here since ‘18 (2018) and I knew nothing about (alleged drug issue) until I was told in the last 24 hours.
“I’ve never had a player or any staff member (come to me), since I’ve been here talking to you about it, in any shape or form.
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Journalist: Have you had any staff members taken away from you from in the bubble, particularly when there’s allegations around the team doctor?
Bennett: “The team doctor is one of the most honest people that I have met and worked with.
“He’s been here for 25 years and anyone that knows the team doctor, knows his ethics and he does a great job here.
“I wouldn’t be jumping the gun on what the club doctor has or hasn’t done.
“He’ll be with the team tomorrow (Sunday) — he wasn’t with the team this morning because he doesn’t come on Saturday mornings — and there’s no reason why he shouldn’t be (at today’s game).’’
Journalist: Wayne, what was your opinion of Sam Burgess prior to these allegations and has that (view) changed now?
Bennett: “I’m not going to discuss my relationship with Sam, we know where we stand with each other.”
Journalist: Will it affect the team at all, now that he’s not in his (coaching) role this weekend?
Bennett: “Not in any shape, form or manner.
“You’ve got to understand, as much as it will excite you to think it will affect us, I can tell you categorically it has not affected us.”
Journalist: Did he (Burgess) have that big of a role — given it won’t affect you guys, now he’s not there?
Bennett: “No, his role wasn’t that big.
“He came in halfway through the season, Sam is an important part around us, he’s a great bloke, but the bottom line is, it’s not a big impact on us.
Journalist: Have you ever known Sam Burgess to have a drug problem?
Bennett: “It’s the first I’ve ever known about him (Burgess allegedly) taking drugs. I’ve never heard a rumour or a whisper about Sam Burgess and drugs.’’
Bennett: “ … Look, just listen to what I’m saying will you.
“I don’t know of any allegations against Sam Burgess until the last 24-48 hours. I’ve never been privy to any conversation to him or anybody.
“I don’t know what the club’s position is, I don’t know what text messages they may have got, or emails from somebody, it’s never been discussed.
“It hasn’t been an issue, it’s never been brought up with me, so you’re talking to the wrong guy here if you’re trying to get information.
Journalist: How are you the wrong guy Wayne, you’re the head coach?
Bennett: “I have a view on a whole lot of things, but I don’t want to express them today at a press interview.
“My major consideration is tomorrow’s game, but nobody wants to talk about that, so we might wind this conversation up.”
Bennett: “ … You’re trying to ram this stuff (the allegations) down my throat and convince me of things, well the fact is, whether you believe it or not, that’s up to you.
“I don’t care, it doesn’t worry me, it’s got nothing to do with me.
“You go find some of the people it’s got something to do with, talk to them.”
Journalist: Tom (Burgess) is at training today, how is he doing?
Bennett: “I didn’t ask him.
Journalist: Did he seem okay?
Bennett: “Well, he wasn’t jittery or crying in the corner.’’
Journalist: As head coach, how eager are you to get to the bottom of these allegations, given if they’re proven, surely there’s welfare concerns for your players?
Bennett: “Hang on, I don’t know why you’re talking about the players for, the playing group aren’t making the headlines.
“It’s a club matter — it’s not my matter, it’s not the playing group’s matter and we’ve got very competent people here and people who care about the club and I’m confident in them.
“Let them do their job and in a month’s time, we can all be a lot wiser.
“At the moment, you’re all running around with a whole lot of allegations.
“Okay, thank you.’’
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