"The players aren’t allowed out into pubs and restaurants, so why would I be allowed?''

Penrith coach Ivan Cleary said: "We're well aware of the rules. 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.''

Cleary was never going to ''dump on Wayne" given his own club were involved with breaches involving Charlie Staines and the coach's own son Nathan, who was suspended for two matches following his Anzac Day slip-up.

Wests Tigers coach Michael Maguire said: "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.

I guess it's a good reminder for all of us.

Michael Maguire

"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.''

Bennett's blunder upset the game's powerbrokers. The fact he asked to be included on the Project Apollo committee, the group that helped formulate a lot of the COVID rules to help the NRL reboot, made his error especially surprising.

"I think I do know the rules, and I'm confident I do," Bennett said. "I went for lunch yesterday with someone I live with. I know I'm still allowed to eat, aren't I?

"We'll wait and see what happens and what they say.

"Of course it has been hard [keeping up]. Look at the TV news programs, people in different parts of Sydney have different rules, we have different rules, there's the border stuff. I come from Queensland where I have family up there still, we're totally confused about what we can and can't do."

St George Illawarra prop Paul Vaughan was also forced into isolation for a fortnight after attending a cafe for breakfast on Thursday, which did not impress his coach Paul McGregor.

''We’re well aware of what our responsibilities are. We talk about it consistently. There’s no reason for it except it’s selfish behaviour really,'' McGregor said after the Dragons' eight-point loss to the Sydney Roosters on Thursday night.

Several club bosses felt Bennett deserved a harsh sanction.

“It's flagrant. To say you don’t know the rules - he’s on the committee. Seriously," one said.

Another influential figure in club land added: “He thinks he is above everybody else. It’s irresponsible, but he thinks the rules don’t apply to him."