NRL players take their league boycotts to the next level

NRL players have taken their boycott with the league to the next level on Thursday night as the ugly ongoing pay dispute drags on.

The NRL jersey boycott has started. Picture: Supplied

NRL players have kicked off their official boycott on Thursday night.

As the Sydney Roosters and Brisbane Broncos players made their way out onto the ground, players had patches of tape over the league logo.

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The move comes amid tense pay deal negotiations between the rugby league players' association and the NRL.

The RLPA introduced a player media ban earlier this month, which hasn’t had the desired effect in their argument with the NRL over the new CBA, prompting them to take new measures this weekend.

The NRL jersey boycott has started. Picture: Supplied

The latest move to cover up the NRL logo was blasted by veteran journalists ahead of the Thursday night contest.

“They are going to cover up the NRL’s logo from tomorrow night,” Michael Carayannis said on NRL 360.

“The players have met and discussed this. Well the delegates have met with the RLPA and have informed the playing group that this is the stance that they want to take.

“This was taken around this afternoon and what it will mean from tomorrow night’s clash between the Broncos and the Roosters the NRL logo will be covered up.”

Braith Anasta questioned how this was going to change anything in the already drawn out CBA negotiation, which is approaching the two year mark, sparking a heated response form the NRL 360 panel.

“What is this going to prove?” Anasta asked.

“How does this change the colour of their jersey?” Gorden Tallis said.

“I still know it is the Broncos jersey don’t I? I still know it is rugby league.”

“This is the stance they should have taken instead of blacking out the media initially because their issue is with the NRL,” Carayannis said.

“Obviously the media blackout hasn’t worked for them.”

Tedesco with the logo covered up. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)

Anasta believes the negotiations need to be taken away from Newton and the players and the NRL need to iron out a deal together.

“Peter V’landys came out and said he would put Andrew Abdo aside and we will put Clint Newton aside and we will get in a room and get it done,” Anasta said.

“Why doesn’t Clint just step outside the room, the players get the deal done and then if Clint wants to come back on and the players want him as their representative then he stays as the representative.

“If that is actually what is in the way here. I just don’t get what this is going to do. No one cares.

“Even the media ban it didn’t get them anywhere, which is why we are here now. If this doesn’t get us anywhere what happens next?

“Does the NRL start fining players for bringing the game into disrepute. I can tell you now as an ex-player once the players’ pay packet gets hit they are going to split because they are not going to continue following Clint.”