Wayne Bennett blasts NRL Bunker after South Sydney Rabbitohs finals loss to Newcastle Knights
An irate Wayne Bennett has lashed the NRL's bunker system after two video referee calls swung against South Sydney in their finals exit to Newcastle.
Wayne Bennett has unloaded on the NRL’s video review system, declaring in the aftermath of South Sydney’s finals exit that “the quicker they get rid of the bunker, the happier I’ll be.”
Bennett, whose side were bundled out in an elimination final loss to Newcastle, has frequently expressed concern over the NRL’s video review process this year.
But Bennett was irate after Friday’s 20-10 loss to the Knights in which Jayden Sullivan had a try chalked off midway through the second half.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Ashley Klein sent the decision up as a try but bunker official Chris Butler overruled his call, believing there was a knock-on by Souths winger Alex Johnston in the build-up.
And to add to Bennett’s frustration, Newcastle winger Dominic Young had a try awarded 10 minutes later.
Klein gave a try, and though Young’s foot appeared to have grazed the touchline at Allianz Stadium, Butler backed up the call made by the on-field referee.
“I want to know who’s refereeing the game. That’s the first thing I want to know. Is it the bunker, or is it the referee?” Bennett asked.
“It’s not where I want the game to be, personally.
“I’ve been in it a long time and seen a lot of things and I don’t think the bunker enhances our game to the amount of what we believe it does.
“I’m happy to live with the referee’s call. Always have been. Always will be. None of us are getting it right. The bunker doesn’t get it right either every time.”
Bennett, who warned the issue would continue to rumble on through the finals series, said he had no qualms with try decisions simply being determined by one on-field referee.
He also claimed lengthy bunker delays were a blight on the game as a television spectacle.
“What I can’t live with is this thing called the bunker that’s supposed to be 100 per cent perfect, but it’s not perfect,” the Bunnies coach said.
“One’s a try because the referee says it’s a try, the other one is no try because the bunker says it’s no try.”
The inconsistency in officiating added to a frustrating night for the Rabbitohs’ coach, who lost veteran five-eighth Cody Walker to a calf injury in the first half.
Johnston also hobbled off with a groin problem that forced Souths into a major reshuffle as they swam against the tide.
Walker is unsigned beyond November 1 but Bennett confirmed the 36-year-old, who has a history of calf issues, would play on in 2027.
“It’s the first game he’s missed all season so he’s done really well for us, so there’s no problems there. We’d like him back (in 2027),” Bennett said.
