Souths coach Wayne Bennett cops $20k fine for biosecurity breach

South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett has been fined $20,000 for his midweek visit to trendy restaurant Grappa.

Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett has been fined $20,000 for his biosecurity breach. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Joel Carrett

A meal at Italian eatery Grappa doesn’t come cheap but it is hard to imagine South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett thought a cosy lunch would cost ever him this much.

Bennett was slapped with a $20,000 fine by the NRL on Friday night after dining with his partner Dale Cage at the Leichhardt restaurant on Wednesday, a decision that breached the game’s biosecurity protocols.

Surely it has turned into the most expensive spread Bennett has ever sampled. Let’s hope it was worth it. St George Illawarra prop Paul Vaughan wasn’t spared either, fined $10,000 after opting to head out for breakfast on Thursday morning while Brisbane legend Allan Langer and two members of the Broncos football staff were fined $5000 apiece.

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The NRL has sent a message. They have sent it by singeing one of the biggest names in the game. Bennett has won seven premierships and was a member of Project Apollo, but it hasn’t saved him from feeling their wrath.

His decision to head out with Cage meant he was already sidelined for his side’s grudge match against Brisbane at ANZ Stadium on Friday night. Salt was rubbed into those wounds when the integrity unit also gave him a financial sanction.

This time, Bennett will wear the fine. Earlier in the year, the club was fined $20,000 after Bennett failed to inform the NRL of an incident involving five-eighth Cody Walker. On this occasion, Bennett was deemed culpable.

The NRL also made it clear that any fine would need to be paid in full. There will be no suspended amount. Bennett’s halo as slipped.

Vaughan missed his side’s defeat to the Sydney Roosters on Thursday night, but he too was hit in the hip pocket. Langer was sanctioned after celebrating his birthday at a private function, also in violation of the game’s strict protocols.

St George Illawarra’s Paul Vaughan has been fined $10,000 for his breach of biosecurity rules. Picture: Getty Images

Football staff Ryan Whitley and Blake Duncan were also fined and all three missed the club’s game against the Rabbitohs.

Acting chief executive Andrew Abdo said the sanctions took into account various factors including each person’s level of responsibility within their club, their remuneration level and factors surrounding the incidents.

“Strict adherence to our biosecurity protocols are vitally important,” Abdo said.
“Players or officials who breach these protocols face missing matches and significant fines. It is important everyone within club bubbles follows the protocols, not only so the season continues, but to ensure no risk to the general community.

“The overwhelming majority of our players and officials are complying with the protocols and we thank them for the discipline they have shown. These breaches should serve as a reminder to all players and staff of the risk to the season if protocols are breached.”

Bennett has suggested he found it difficult to keep track of the changing biosecurity guidelines. He quipped that he was allowed to eat. The NRL decided it was no laughing matter. Nor was there much sympathy from his fellow coaches.

“We‘re well aware of the rules,” Penrith’s Ivan Cleary said.

“There was a period there about three or four weeks ago when the restrictions got lifted slightly for us, and I can see that being a little bit confusing.

“It was that period before the Victorian outbreak and society was starting to loosen up (the restrictions) and our bubble had been eased up a bit.

“But once it was reined back in again, you can‘t do anything. That’s not confusing.’’

Wests Tigers coach Michael Maguire added: “Sometimes mistakes are made. We all know what we need to do.

“Wayne has achieved a hell of a lot in the game, every now and then whether it‘s a player, an administrator or whoever it is in the game, sometimes you’ll make a mistake. Everyone is aware of where we are at the moment.

“It’s a big commitment to come to training and then stay at home. But if that’s what we need to do to get the world back on track, that’s what we need to do. I guess it’s a good reminder for all of us.’’

Vaughan has already apologised for his errant decision but that didn’t save him. As for Langer, he fell foul of the integrity unit after holding a private bash to celebrate his 54th birthday at the famed Caxton Hotel last weekend.