NRL 2020: Allan Langer misses Brisbane Broncos game after COVID-19 breach

The NRL has announced heavy fines for five figures in the game, including Wayne Bennett and Broncos legend Allan Langer, after embarrassing breaches.

Coach grumpy.

Wayne Bennett and Broncos legend Allan Langer have both been whacked by the NRL as the league went on a punishment blitz on Friday night.

The NRL announced five figures in the game have been issued breach notices for breaking the sport’s strict biosecurity protocols.

Langer is one of three members of the Brisbane coaching staff to miss Friday night’s grudge match with the Rabbitohs after being busted breaching the protocols.

The Broncos have confirmed earlier reports that Langer and two other staff members have been placed on COVID-19 holds — and will not be able to re-enter the NRL’s isolation bubble until they have recorded negative coronavirus tests.

Kayo is your ticket to the 2020 NRL Telstra Premiership. Every game of every round Live & On-Demand with no-ad breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >

Bennett on Wednesday was also busted dining at an Italian restaurant in Sydney’s inner-west on Wednesday with a woman believed to be his partner in a clear breach of the game’s biosecurity rules.

Bennett claimed he didn’t know he was breaching the NRL’s strict protocols, which ban players and coaches from visiting public places.

Bennett will now miss the Rabbitohs clash with his old club the Brisbane Broncos and next week’s game against the North Queensland Cowboys with assistant coach Jason Demetriou taking control of the team.

Wayne Bennett says he didn’t know.

Bennett has been hit with the heaviest of the fines, copping a $20,000 whack — which must be paid in full with none of the amount suspended pending any future breaches.

The NRL also handed Dragons star Paul Vaughan a $10,000 fine after he was spotted at a Wollongong cafe.

Langer and fellow Broncos coaching staff members Ryan Whitley and Blake Duncan have been issued fines of $5000 each.

The Broncos released a statement confirming the identities of the other staff members to be stood down for the trip to Sydney.

“Three Broncos staff members will undergo COVID-19 testing after attending a private function in Brisbane,” the club statement claimed.

“The club became aware of the matter today involving football staff Allan Langer, Ryan Whitley and Blake Duncan, and contacted the NRL immediately.

“As a precaution, those staff have been placed on “COVID Holds”, and will undergo testing before returning to the Project Apollo bubble.

Broncos trainer Allan Langer with Anthony Milford.

“To adhere to best practice, the staff members won’t travel for tonight’s game in Sydney against the Rabbitohs.”

It was earlier reported by Brisbane Triple M rugby league reported Ben Dobbin that the three officials attended a private function at the notorious Caxton Hotel.

The Courier Mail’s Peter Badel revealed the private function was a birthday bash for Langer which was held in a private area of the famous watering hole — removed from the general public.

Langer is a huge loss for the Broncos with the 54-year-old being the chief message runner for the team for more than a decade. He has also previously been accused of going too far in his role and coaching the team on the field.

Bennett initially defended his mistake, but his explanation didn’t sit well with everyone.

Former Queensland star Billy Moore was scathing of Bennett’s claim that he didn’t know the isolation rules.

“How is that possible? How can the most experienced coach in the competition not be aware of it?” Moore told Mark and Caroline on 92.7 Mix FM.

“Wayne Bennett went on the attack saying, ‘I’m the victim here. The rules have changed, I didn’t know the rules had changed’.

Tesi Niu and Allan Langer at training.

“I couldn’t believe the arrogance that came through from Wayne Bennett ... almost like, ‘The rules don’t apply to me’.

“We saw the real character of Wayne Bennett, which is disappointing.

“What we saw, when attacked for doing something wrong, we saw the dark side of Wayne and I thought it was very poor.”

NRL 360 host Ben Ikin said: “I think it was so irresponsible, if anyone you think was going to set the right example for an entire code it would be the game’s most experienced coach.

“Instead he turned up at a press conference today having been caught out … at one point he was confused, he was uncertain about the rules.

“I think he ended the press conference calling a journalist small minded.

“It felt a bit arrogant to me, he made the mistake and should have just fessed up and you know admitted almost to struggling living in the bubble and he broke out of it.

“Because there’s no way known based on the phone calls I’ve made today that there is not a single NRL employee, player, coach whoever that is inside the bubble at the moment who does not know those rules.”