Warriors confusion as showdown between players, NRL continues
Players are headed for a showdown with their club bosses unless they perform a dramatic backflip after chief executives baulked at players’ plans to skip training on Tuesday.
NRL
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Players are headed for a showdown with their club bosses unless they perform a dramatic backflip after chief executives baulked at players’ plans to skip training on Tuesday.
A host of club officials and NRL executives were part of a more than two hour heated phone hook-up where clubs openly opposed players’ plans to not return to training until late next week. Some clubs indicated they may consider not paying their players if they fail to attend. Others said they would not take this approach.
The players confirmed Friday morning they will attend a biosecurity briefing at their clubs on Monday – returning for the first time since the competition was suspended in March.
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However, ARLC chairman Peter V’landys told the players in a phone hook-up they would be afforded time to digest the planned safety protocols and “if there is a hiccup we have agreed to regroup”.
That was meant with a lukewarm response from club bosses after it was put to clubs that players may not return until Thursday. Clubs are willing to accommodate individual players who have concerns about the security measures being undertaken to excuse themselves from training but do not believe a blanket delay should take place – believing a further postponement unnecessary.
The players want time to understand the drastic changes that includes; banning surfing, golf, ride-shares and carpooling, logging daily health checks and having their living arrangements approved.
More than 40 players joined V’landys on the call. It is understood the players will reconsider their position this weekend.
RLPA boss Clint Newton said the players had received the assurances they were after from V’landys to allow them to return to their clubs on Monday for an educational day – a change of their position from 24 hours ago. He did not rule out players returning the following day to commence training.
“We received some written guarantees which Peter has committed to providing which is fantastic,” Newton said. “Some more stuff relating to a clear direction around the competition and season schedule, the process around the protocols and the payments and benefits.
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“Protocols are necessary and sophisticated. (They may return) on Tuesday or that may be Wednesday. There is nothing holding the process up. It’s more making sure they understanding their obligations and expectations around the biosecurity are.
“It’s not about players taking any days off it’s about ensuring the player understanding their obligations.”
Newton said V’landys offer of a 20 per cent pay-cut was “a deal that is absolutely able to take to the players and work through.”
Meanwhile, there was further confusion regarding the Warriors and their intention to arrive in Australia tomorrow. Prime Minister Scott Morrison hosed down suggestions the Warriors were given clearance to land in Tamworth on a special chartered flight. The NRL remain confident the Warriors will be free to land however Morrison insisted the decision rests with the Australian Border Force. Border Force said the application was still being considered. The Warriors were not any clearer about their immediate future when contact by The Daily Telegraph Friday night.