NRL: South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett and Dragons forward Paul Vaughan breach biosecurity protocols

South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett and St George Illawarra’s Paul Vaughan have had their seasons put on hold for 14 days after breaking biosecurity protocols.

Paul Vaughan breached biosecurity rules by going out for breakfast

South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett will miss Friday night’s grudge match against Brisbane after being placed in a 14-day Covid hold.

St George Illawarra forward Paul Vaughan has also fallen foul of the game’s biosecurity protocols and will miss Thursday night’s game against the Sydney Roosters.

Acting NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo said the decision to remove both individuals was regrettable but a necessary part of the NRL’s biosecurity protocols.

“We are living in extraordinary times and we must do everything in our power to ensure the health and safety of our players, staff and the general community,’’ he said.

“This is a regrettable decision but today’s actions will operate as an important reminder to our players and staff about the importance of strict adherence to the protocols.

“Our players and staff have made significant sacrifices to ensure the season can proceed. I have sympathy for the liberties they have had to give up and I am proud of how well the overwhelming majority have complied with our protocols.

“We have worked closely with governments, biosecurity experts and our clubs to ensure a successful and entertaining season and today’s enforcement of protocols will ensure no risk to the playing groups or the general community.”

Bennett, who is a member of the Project Apollo team guiding the game through the COVID-19 crisis, talked to the NRL integrity unit on Thursday after a patron at the Grappa restaurant in Sydney’s inner-west contacted Sydney’s Daily Telegraph to inform the newspaper that Bennett was there.

Under biosecurity protocols, players and officials inside their respective bubbles are prevented from attending restaurants and cafes.

Bennett confirmed the lunch date after training on Thursday morning.

“I went for lunch yesterday at Grappa, I did,” Bennett said. “I don’t know. If it was a breach I wouldn’t have done it. I didn’t think it was a breach. I went there with my partner, who I live with. Something to eat there and that was it.

“I go shopping, I go out to different places to get meals at times. It is just me and my partner, who live together. I went somewhere to have something to eat.”

Asked whether he was worried about being stood down for Friday night’s game, Bennett said: “If that is what they decide has to happen, that is their call. The rules have changed that many times about what we can and can’t do.

“As I said I didn’t think I was breaking any rules yesterday. I wasn’t with a group. We didn’t sit near anybody. If I go to the shops there’s people everywhere now.

“The protocols are changing all the time. At times I have been out where I thought it was right.”

Bennett claimed it had been difficult to follow the rules given the changes that have taken place.

“It has been, of course it has been,” he said. “I come from Queensland and I have people up there still. We are totally confused about what we can and can’t do.”

Asked whether it was his duty to know the rules, Bennett replied: “I do know the rules. As I said, I just went for lunch yesterday. I am still allowed to eat aren’t I? I know I am allowed to go and get food. We will wait and see what happens.”

In Bennett’s absence, assistant coach Jason Demetriou will take the reins. Vaughan went for breakfast on Thursday morning, again contravening Covid rules

“St George Illawarra have confirmed Dragons frontrower Paul Vaughan broke the NRL’s Covid-19 biosecurity measures on Thursday morning,” the club said in a statement.

“The Dragons are disappointed with Vaughan’s conduct and are working with the NRL and Project Apollo to determine his availability for the Dragons’ Round 13 clash against the Sydney Roosters.”