RLPA on collision course with NRL over proposed changes to judiciary rules
The RLPA has sensationally blocked controversial plans to allow NRL head office to bypass the match review committee and charge players for on-field offences.
NRL
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The players union has put itself on a collision course with the NRL over proposed changes to the judiciary rules, filing a formal dispute amid claims that they were not properly consulted over plans to hand the ARL Commission unprecedented powers to charge players.
The Rugby League Players Association sent an email to the playing group on Thursday night informing them that they would challenge the new rules, which allow the ARL Commission to take action if they believe an incident has been missed or underplayed by the match review committee.
RLPA chief executive Clint Newton had previously told this masthead that the proposed changes were an overreach that undermined player confidence.
He has now raised the matter formally with the NRL through official channels in a move which, according to the RLPA, prevents the new rules from coming into effect.
“This afternoon, we filed a formal dispute with the ARL Commission and NRL, citing a breach of the CBA due to noncompliance with the consultation process,” Newton wrote in an email to players.
“The CBA’s Status Quo provision also mandates that the ARL Commission must not implement the disputed Judiciary Code change until the dispute is resolved.
“We have significant concerns about the proposed changes, which we intended to review with your player leaders.
“Unfortunately, due to the breached consultation process, we haven’t yet been able to work through our own process and provide our player feedback to the NRL.
“We will continue to keep you updated as the dispute process progresses.”
The NRL declined to comment on Friday afternoon but ARL Commission chair Peter V’landys has previously described the proposed changes as a safety net and insurance policy designed to protect players and clubs.
V’landys also insisted that the new rules would rarely if ever be used. The RLPA, however, felt that it should have been consulted before the new rules were brought into effect.
“According to the CBA, the NRL must consult the RLPA on rule changes impacting players, following an agreed process to protect players and give them a voice,” Newton wrote.
“However, the NRL did not follow this process. Instead of providing the RLPA with a 14-day consultation period, they announced the change five days after proposing it in writing to us.
“By ignoring this process, the NRL prevented the RLPA from consulting your player leaders and providing proper player feedback.”
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