State of Origin 2021: RLPA to fight for double payments in 2022

The RLPA is on the verge of asking for Origin payments to be doubled next season, arguing the series is the ‘most elite rugby league competition in the world’. Have your say.

Just $750 a game in the hand.

That’s what NSW’s champion players have been paid for their commanding and history-making performances in State of Origin I and II this season.

And, while not wanting to be deemed greedy, the RLPA will seek to open “conversations” with the NRL about doubling Origin payments from next year.

The RLPA and NRL agreed in January – through a revised Collective Bargaining Agreement – to reduce Origin match payments for this year and 2022 due to the game’s financial struggles through Covid.

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The Blues celebrate victory in the 2021 State of Origin series Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

While still supporting the agreement, RLPA chief executive Clint Newton does now believe Origin player payments should increase and hopes to secure a deal in coming months.

Players receive $15,000 for each nine-day Origin camp, resulting in a payment totalling $7000 – or $750 a day – after tax.

Normally, through corporate hospitality, sponsorship, broadcast rights, naming rights, commercial arrangements, merchandise and a significant injection from interstate governments, Origin generates about $100m a year.

Newton hopes to settle a pay rise with the NRL through either individual negotiations for 2022 or via a new CBA starting in 2023.

Pre-Covid, Origin players earned $30,000 a game before that figure was slashed to $10,000 last year. Elite stars agreed to the cash hit to ensure all players throughout the game were paid through Covid. The Origin payment was increased marginally this year.

“Given the contribution the players make, given the role Origin plays in generating revenue, not just for players but for fans, clubs, the game or states, there is absolutely an opportunity to bring that discussion back to the table to push that up again to reflect their contribution,” Newton said.

“The reality is that players will want to have a conversation, at the right time, to explore what, if any, options there are beyond this year or whether it has to be captured in the next CBA.

“We have agreed to those CBA revisions but there should be a continual opportunity to explore increases. I can see no reason why we can’t get back to where we were.

RLPA boss Clint Newton wants to see a pay rise. Picture: AAP Image/James Gourley

“There is no expectation of an increase but everything is worth a conversation and I think we need to continually recognise the contribution that the game’s best players generate for everyone.

“We will go into our CBA negotiations in, potentially, the coming months, which would include discussions about representative payments moving forward. Who knows what that will spit out? My goal is that I’d like to wrap up a deal before Origin next year. That’s what I would expect.

“I don’t see any reason why we have to push it out any longer than that. The game continues to suggest that we are ‘can do’ people and we can get things done. I can’t see why we can’t get a CBA done and make an announcement that we have reached an agreement. All those things should be on the table.

“Everyone is aware there are no guarantees but don’t forget the demands and game intensity on players has significantly increased again this year, based on the rule changes. When people are tuning in, they are tuning in to watch the players. They are the ones generating the revenue.

“Origin is arguably the most elite competition in the world when it comes to rugby league. There is nothing wrong with starting a conversation and seeing where we can get to. We’ve tried to ensure their annual salaries in club land are still considered a premium based on what’s available.”

The NRL did not want to comment but one club official did point out “that Origin III will likely have reduced crowds and there’s currently no crowds in Sydney for club games. So that’s another financial hit for the game as a whole.”

NSW players agreed to the pay cut when told their sacrifice would ensure all players at all levels would continue being paid through Covid.

“This is why I get protective about our leaders and representative players when they get positioned a certain way — that they only look after themselves,” Newton said.

“I am passionate about the image of our elite and what they do for the collective which has been demonstrated via their acceptance of a decrease in payments for Origin. They were and continue to be first-class when thinking about the entire playing group.”