LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
Wayne Bennett has responded to criticism surrounding the decision to go ahead with the NRL game against the Dolphins despite Cyclone Alfred, calling it a "disgusting" furore.
Three Dolphins players pulled out of the match to stay with their families, leading to accusations that Bennett's South Sydney side had an "unfair advantage".
Dolphins player Kodi Nikorima's wife, Bree, expressed her anger at the situation in a now deleted post on social media, questioning the NRL's priorities.
However, the NRL and Dolphins have offered support to affected players and their families, including relocating them to a Brisbane hotel for safety.
Bennett commended the NRL's decision to relocate the game to Sydney and praised the efforts to support those impacted by the cyclone.
He defended the decision to go ahead with the match, stating, "If it had been called off...
you media, if we called it off you would find fault with us, if we put it on you find fault with us." Despite the controversy, Bennett emphasized that the NRL's actions were in the best interest of everyone involved in the game.
He also dismissed claims of his team having an unfair advantage, emphasizing that the situation was out of their control and that they will play their home game against the Dolphins later in the year as planned.