Rugby League World Cup 2022: Players’ union and NRL at odds over Kangaroos’ pay deal
A new divide between the players’ union and the NRL threatens to impact the Kangaroos before the World Cup kicks off next month.
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The glacial pace of rugby league’s pay talks threatens to impact the World Cup after it emerged the players’ union and NRL were at odds over whether a deal was in place for the Kangaroos for the upcoming tournament.
Australian players are due to receive a base payment of $40,000 for the Cup under their existing deal but the World Cup overlaps with the next rugby league season — the current Collective Bargaining Agreement expires on October 31.
The NRL is of the opinion that the 12-month delay in the World Cup brought about by Covid means the current deal should remain in effect. The Rugby League Players Association insist otherwise.
The issue shapes as the latest divide between the parties, who have been locked in talks for weeks over a new CBA. News Corp understands that the players union was due to receive a proposal from head office — via their chief negotiator Hugh Marks — late on Friday.
It is understood the NRL was optimistic their offer would be enough to seal a deal for the next five years over salaries for both men and women.
“At this point, there is no agreement in place past October 31, which affects the terms and conditions and remunerations of players who will play for their nations during November’s World Cup,” RLPA chief executive Clint Newton said.
“The World Cup hasn’t snuck up on us. It has been in the calendar for years and was meant to be played last year. This is one of the many reasons why we pushed to start negotiating and reach agreement for our players earlier.
“This isn’t about a pay dispute. This is simply about having a clear understanding of the terms and conditions, and payments that are connected to being employed to represent your nation, is that not a fair expectations?
“The lack of understanding impacts the women more than the men as the vast majority of them will have to take time off from work, which is largely their primary income, to travel and play.
“So I imagine understanding how you’ll pay your bills and provide for family members is a fair and reasonable request.”
News Corp understands that the union is pushing for uniform payments for players from Australia and the Pacific nations in official internationals as part of the new agreement.
A review of international payments has the support of NRL clubs.
“The clubs would be supportive of a review of representative payments for international matches,” South Sydney chief executive Blake Solly said.
“NRL clubs are the biggest investors in international rugby league, absorbing the salary and injury risk for players with no compensation. It is something we are happy to do, because we all see the opportunities and benefits of a robust international competition.
“The ARLC also subsidises the Kangaroos programs from revenue generated by the NRL club competition. By their own admission, international matches are loss-leading for the ARLC.
“If the ARLC are going to use NRL club competition revenues to subsidise international programs, it is probably time to consider why the Kangaroos are the only beneficiary of that subsidy.”
The women’s game has been at the centre of talks between the RLPA and NRL, and Newton is pushing for those talks to take priority when it comes to the international arena.
“We want to reach an agreement that fairly and respectfully recognises the essential contribution of players, and we will continue to advocate for this to be prioritised by the NRL and the ARL Commission,” Newton said.
“Our NRLW players have already had an unprecedented year with two NRLW seasons in 2022, state competitions, State of Origin, and international games all played since February.
“Make no mistake, players want to go to the World Cup, it’s shaping up to be the best Rugby League World Cup in the tournament’s history.
“However, considering the commitment and dedication our women’s players have shown to rugby league in 2022, it’s only fair that we prioritise what their terms and conditions are for this upcoming tournament.”
‘Right thing to do’: Val makes World Cup pledge
-Peter Badel
Cowboys centre Valentine Holmes says he won’t be following the lead of Australia’s defectors and has pledged his allegiance to Mal Meninga’s Kangaroos for next month’s World Cup.
As he prepares for North Queensland’s preliminary final blockbuster in Townsville on Friday night, Holmes has turned down the opportunity to represent Cook Islands in favour of a green-and-gold jumper.
A frustrated Meninga has taken aim at the code’s eligibility rules after a number of big-name NRL stars — including Jarome Luai, Joseph Suaalii and Holmes’ Origin teammate Josh Papalii — rejected Australia and defected to Samoa.
Meninga will announce a provisional 30-man World Cup squad on Saturday.
During this year’s Origin series, Holmes flirted with the idea of turning out for Cook Islands, but the Queensland flyer has declared he is staying loyal to Australia in his quest for a second World Cup crown.
“I can’t turn my back on Australia,” Holmes said ahead of the Cowboys-Eels grand-final qualifier at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.
“I am born in Australia, born here in Townsville and I have played Origin for Queensland.
“For me, the right thing to do is to put Australia first and if I do get selected by Mal, that’s awesome, but if I don’t, then I will make myself available for Cook Islands.
“When the time comes, the right thing to do is to represent Australia.
“I’m an Aussie first and my heritage of the Cook Islands is second.”
Holmes only has to stay fit to be a selection certainty for Australia’s World Cup defence in England.
The 27-year-old has an outstanding record in the green and gold — he has scored 17 tries from 13 Tests, including a remarkable 11-try haul in back-to-back internationals against Samoa and Fiji at the 2017 World Cup.
Holmes has played 11 of his 13 Tests on the wing for Australia but his successful move to the centres at club level this season gives Meninga some options in the backline.
“Wearing the green-and-gold jumper is really special,” Holmes said.
“I’ve had some great memories playing for Australia. I got to make my debut in Perth in 2016 and we went over and won the Four Nations, I’ve scored five and six tries in games and then been part of the World Cup final win.
“I will always cherish my time in the Australian team because you don’t know if your next game for the Kangaroos will be your last.”
Holmes will be a key weapon for the Cowboys in the grand-final qualifier and says his form in the centres has been inspired by memories of watching Queensland Origin legend Greg Inglis.
“I’ve really enjoyed the move to the centres (from fullback),” he said. “When I was younger, I loved watching Greg Inglis in the centres, he was aggressive in attack and defence.
“I’m not ‘GI’, but I’ve tried to adopt that aggressive mindset with the ball and when I don’t have the ball, I try not to make errors in defence.
“I am 27 now and I feel mentally I’m smarter about the game and more experienced. The position seems to suit me well.
“Making the top four has given us a better opportunity to make the grand final.
“There’s a bit more pressure in the finals because it’s sudden death, but if we focus on the game plan we have had all year, there’s no reason why we can’t win this week and put ourselves in the grand final.”
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Originally published as Rugby League World Cup 2022: Players’ union and NRL at odds over Kangaroos’ pay deal
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