Canterbury Bulldogs chairman Ray Dib sets up secret clubs meeting as salary cap war with NRL looms

IT IS the Chinese meal at Canterbury Leagues Club involving some of the game’s most powerful club figures which could flip rugby league on its head.

Canterbury Bulldogs Chairman Ray Dib.

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IT IS the Chinese meal which could flip rugby league on its head.

Some of the game’s most powerful club figures have been invited to an exclusive, secret Chinese feast on Monday by Canterbury chairman Ray Dib, as the clubs prepare to wage war on the NRL’s planned $9.2 million dollar salary cap offer.

Among the invitees of the original email sent on Wednesday include Penrith’s Phil Gould and Brian Fletcher, Canberra’s Don Furner, St George Illawarra chairman Brian Johnston, Roosters boss Joe Kelly, Cronulla chief executive Lyall Gorman and South Sydney’s head of football Shane Richardson. Parramatta’s Bernie Gurr has also been extended an invite while Wests Tigers officials were snubbed.

NRL boss Todd Greenberg has also been invited and is expected to front up where it is understood he will give the clubs an updated understanding of the NRL’s salary cap position.

Canterbury Bulldogs Chairman Ray Dib is orchestrating a secret meeting.

Canterbury and Canberra are among the clubs in most salary cap strife while a host of others clubs budgeted for a salary cap of about $9.5 million.

With suggestions the cap could be as low as $9.2 million next year, tensions are starting to build within club ranks as they fear that may need to shed a host of star players.

Canterbury have been making waves with NRL officials in recent weeks as they look to work out how they can become salary cap compliant by the time next year’s season starts.

However, clubs have plenty of power if they present a united front. All that is needed is five disgruntled clubs to stick together and they could block any salary cap agreement struck between the NRL and the Rugby League Players Association which has the potential to send the game into further chaos.

Nick Pappas and Ray Dib arrive for a meeting with NRL Chairman John Grant. Picture Gregg Porteous

Seventy five per cent of clubs — or 12 of the 16 — must agree to the new collective bargaining agreement. Greenberg and the NRL will meet all clubs on Thursday to present the new-look CBA.

Dib said he would use Monday’s meeting to gauge each club’s position, with the salary cap expected to dominate proceedings. Dib has promised to shout the attendees lunch inside Canterbury Leagues Club.

“It is a catch-up with some of the executive of the various NSW-based membership owned clubs,” Dib told the Daily Telegraph.

“It is to find out where everyone is at. What their feelings are and the general conscious heading into next week’s meeting.”

NRL CEO Todd Greenberg has been invited to attend.

Aside from potentially rounding up five clubs in a bid to block a low-balled salary cap offer, other salary cap alternatives will also be discussed on Monday.

These include having a “soft” salary cap for next year or having a higher cap for 2018 before scaling back player costs over for the next three years.

Meanwhile, Canterbury have named Andrew Hill as chief executive to replace Raelene Castle. Hill won’t start until December, when his commitments end as boss of the World Cup.

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He has enjoyed a long history with the game having played for Parramatta before making a successful transition into successful sports administration.

“It is a very exciting opportunity for me,” Hill said.

“Canterbury has a strong, proud history. While I’m looking forward to joining the club my immediate focus is on continuing to work hard and ensuing the Rugby League World Cup is a success and we deliver an outcome that grows the game both in traditional and emerging markets.”