RLPA goes green: Players plan on-field protest against NRL as pay war heats up
RUGBY league’s pay war is headed on to the field with players to stage a protest against the NRL during the upcoming round of matches.
RUGBY league’s pay war is headed on to the field with players to stage a protest against the NRL during the upcoming round of matches.
Players will wear dark green coloured taping as a strong show of support for the Rugby League Players Association’s (RLPA) ongoing discussions with the NRL as some of the game’s elite grow increasingly frustrated by the slow process.
It is understood players will wear the tape either on their wrists, boots, as a headband or even as an armband on the right sleeve of their jersey with the demonstration to start in Thursday night’s Penrith and Bulldogs match.
Boxes of the tape have already been sent to clubs via the four RLPA delegates at each club after the Daily Telegraph revealed player plans to stage on on-field protest earlier this month. Last round had originally been slated but the players did not want to interfere with the women in league celebration.
The RLPA expects the vast majority of players to don the dark green tape across the eight matches this round.
RLPA boss Ian Prendergast said it “was no secret players had become increasingly frustrated” by negotiations.
“They want to stand up, use their voice and demonstrate their solidarity across the weekend to get this deal over the line so we can deliver certainty in the industry,” Prendergast said.
“You only have to look at ‘beanies for brain cancer’ earlier this year and the acknowledgment of the significant women in their lives in support of women in league last week to understand the positive impact players can have on a game if they do feel that connection with it and believe they are valued.”
This is the second strong sign of public support by the players after they hijacked State of Origin by donning RLPA hats during media opportunities in the lead up to Origin III. There will also be a captain’s call of all 16 club leaders and the RLPA this week to discuss the ongoing negotiations.
Talks between the NRL and the RLPA intensified last week when NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg sat in on negotiations for the first time. The biggest stumbling block continues to be the players’ demand for a 29 per cent revenue share while finding common ground on what exactly is included in the salary cap also presents ongoing uncertainty.
“Since Todd has been involved as of last week there has been some positive signs and some productive dialogue around the key issues,” Prendergast said. “We are still a significant distance apart. There is still plenty more work that needs to be done to deliver a fair deal for players.
“Last week’s discussions were more respectable. There seemed to be an openness in terms of the players proposal and willingness to understand the philosophy that underpins it. There is light at the end of the tunnel.”
Greenberg said it was good to see the players united.
“We’ve always thought a strong players’ union is good for the game,” Greenberg said
“We don’t have a problem with them demonstrating their solidarity. And when the CBA negotiations are concluded we look forward to them showing the same resolve to work together to do everything.
Originally published as RLPA goes green: Players plan on-field protest against NRL as pay war heats up