'I’d love to go to the pub': Coach savages footy virus breachers
Canberra coach Ricky Stuart has sunk the boot into the NRL stars that have breached the code’s biosecurity rules claiming these tough times are showing their ‘true character’.
The Brisbane Broncos were the latest team to be involved in a biosecurity breach scandal after three staff members, including club legend Alfie Langer, were placed on ‘COVID Holds’ on Friday.
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On Thursday, the NRL stood down Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett after was left remorseful, insisting he did not know he was in breach of regulations when he went to a Sydney restaurant for a meal with his partner.
Dragons forward Paul Vaughan admitted it was selfish and reckless to break the NRL's bubble and dine out, placing him in two weeks' quarantine.
A torrid couple of days for the NRL prompted Raiders coach Stuart to slam the individuals flouting the rules in place for the game.
“I’d love to go to the pub and have a beer with my mates,” Stuart said ahead of the clash against Penrith on Saturday.
“I’d love to go out for lunch or go out for dinner with the family but you can’t.
“They’re just tough times at the moment but under tough times you find out the true character of people.”
NRL community slam protocol breachers
The actions of Bennett and Vaughan have placed the spotlight firmly on the NRL, with many left outraged by their reckless conduct.
Fox Sports' NRL 360 host Ben Ikin - who is Bennett's son-in-law - branded the master coach "arrogant" and said he should have known better.
“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,” Ikin said.
“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.”
