Dragons Statement: Wayne Bennett & World Club Challenge

The St George Illawarra Dragons wish to advise that Head Coach Wayne Bennett has urgently returned home to Australia from the United Kingdom for family reasons.

Bennett's mother-in-law is gravely ill and he has returned home to Brisbane to be with his family and will not be with the Dragons for the remainder of their World Club Challenge Campaign.

Assistant Coach Steve Price will coach the team in the absence of Bennett for Sunday's World Club Challenge Clash against Wigan at DW Stadium.

"It is important that I am with my family at this difficult time,