Wayne Bennett calls for bunker removal after Rabbitohs finals exit

Zero Tackle NRL1 min read • Latest: Sep 11, 2026, 12:50 PM

Last updated Sep 11, 2026

Wayne Bennett calls for bunker removal after Rabbitohs finals exit
Summary

South Sydney Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett condemned the NRL bunker following his team’s elimination from the finals in a loss to the Newcastle Knights. Bennett took issue with multiple officiating decisions, including a knock-on ruling against Alex Johnston and a contested try involving Newcastle winger Dominic Young. The coach expressed frustration regarding the inconsistency between on-field referees and video officials, arguing that the bunker system has become overly technical and lacks transparency. Beyond individual calls, Bennett criticized the duration of video reviews, noting that the delays provide players with significant rest periods during high-stakes matches. He advocated for a return to trusting on-field referees, stating that the current system fails to provide the level of accuracy required for playoff competition.

Source Links
Key Details
  • South Sydney Rabbitohs exited the NRL finals after a loss to the Newcastle Knights.
  • Wayne Bennett publicly questioned the influence of the bunker on officiating decisions.
  • The coach cited concerns over specific rulings involving Alex Johnston and Dominic Young.
  • Bennett criticized the impact of extended video review times on game flow and player recovery.
Latest Updates
  • 12:50 PMZero Tackle NRLWayne Bennett launches incredible attack on NRL bunker after finals elimination
What they're saying
"

The veteran coach wants the bunker out of the game.

Related Teams & Leagues

Sources

External links

Original reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.

Related Stories

Last 14 days