Joey Leilua backs plans to keep playing through the coronavirus crisis
The NRL might be in for the first wave of player resistance after they were told the coronavirus crisis might lead to pay cuts.
Tigers
Don't miss out on the headlines from Tigers. Followed categories will be added to My News.
News NRL players face taking a pay cut due to the coronavirus pandemic went down like a lead balloon at Concord on Wednesday morning, according to Wests Tigers centre Joey Leilua.
Players were notified of the possibility of pay cuts, relocating the competition and changes to the length of the season via a video message from the Rugby League Players Association.
But not one to hold back his opinions, Leilua said taking home less money was an unpopular position and he questioned the NRL’s management of its rich broadcast deal worth $1.8 billion.
“I thought they were handling their money better but if they say it’s only going to last three months, then we are in trouble,” he said.
“All the boys were like ‘I better be not getting cut short because we have mortgages to pay and bills to pay.
Watch the 2020 NRL Telstra Premiership on KAYO. Every game of every round LIVE & Ad-Break Free during play. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >
“I don’t know what is going to happen but I’m not all for that if we have to get a pay cut.
“We’d rather keep playing.
“But I’m sure there is some money in there with the revenue we’ve got, they should be saving money for when these things happen.”
Under the CBA agreement between the NRL and players, a loss in revenue could trigger a clause that allows the governing body to force pay cuts and the reduction of the salary cap, which is $9.8 million for 2020.
“If the competition were to be paused or suspended for any period of time, we may be forced to consider that,” the RLPA’s Clint Newton said in the video.
“Any reduction in player payments and benefits need to be agreed with us. Player salaries would be the last thing we look to reduce.
“We can also look at reducing future payments such as the salary cap in ensuing years. We don’t have to necessarily take all the money out in one year or we may look to defer player benefits down the line.”
Tigers backrower Luciano Leilua echoed his older brother’s sentiments on the issue of pay cuts and said he was concerned for players on the game’s minimum wage and part-timers.
“Most definitely [it’s concerning], I think most boys would find it concerning, especially for the boys who are on minimum wage.
“Some boys are living paycheck to paycheck.
“For me, it’s just one of those things if it happens you just have to deal with it. But the NRL is doing what it can to make sure it doesn’t happen, it will probably be the last resort not to get paid.”
FOOTY TIPS! Join Australia’s best footy tipping competition for your chance to win big. Add our experts to your league and join now at TIPS.COM.AU.
Despite sporting bodies all over the world postponing their respective competitions as the threat of the coronavirus escalates, the NRL has opted to continue playing behind closed doors.
To protect players from contracting the virus the NRL, with the guidance of state and federal health officials, have advised players to self isolate until the threat is contained.
For Luciano Leilua, the isolation protocol hasn’t been an issue.
“I’m a boring guy, I just stay home anyway,” he said.
“For our game to continue I think everyone has to take this [self isolation] seriously.”
The former St George Illawarra Dragons forward also said NRL players had to take a collegiate approach to the crisis and do whatever it takes to keep playing this season even if it means relocating the competition to the country’s north.
“I do have a family and partner but I think as NRL players we have to make big sacrifices. Some boys have it harder than me though but if that’s what it is going to take to keep the game going then we’ll do that,” he said.