Standoff over salary cap stonewalling may see All Stars boycott

THE NRL's biggest names will consider boycotting the All Stars game as frustration increases over delays in finalising the salary cap.

NRL All Stars

THE NRL's biggest names will consider boycotting the All Stars game as frustration increases over delays in finalising rugby league's new salary cap.

The sensational threat is one proposal being discussed by members of the Rugby League Players Association, who will meet with the ARLC tomorrow.

Ditching press conferences and failing to honour TV commitments have also been mentioned should the ARLC not deliver suitable figures.

The game's salary cap for next season was discussed during a seven-hour club chief executives conference at Rugby League Central yesterday but, again, no decision was reached.

An increase in the 2013 cap would instantly allow Israel Folau back into rugby league.

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Bulldogs CEO Todd Greenberg will represent the clubs at tomorrow's meeting, while Robbie Farah, Paul Gallen, Mick Crocker, Clint Newton and Tim Mannah are all expected to attend on behalf of the RLPA.

The RLPA wants the cap increased from $5 million to $6.5 million for next season before being bumped up to $8.5 million by 2017, the same year the league's new $1 billion TV rights deal expires.

A senior player last night said an All Stars boycott was one idea being touted, but it was a drastic option that hopefully wouldn't eventuate.

"It's frustrating things have taken so long, and the players association wants to do whatever we can to achieve what we think is reasonable for us," the player said. "Players don't know where they stand and the clubs can't get ready for 2014 because they don't know who they can sign and who they can let go."

No decision on the 2013 salary cap was reached yesterday, with chief executives wanting to extract further information from tomorrow's meeting.

"We are still in negotiations over a range of issues, including the salary cap from 2013 to 2017," NRL interim CEO Shane Mattiske said.

Representative stars, including Johnathan Thurston, Farah and Jarryd Hayne, are waiting to find out what the 2014 cap will be before they commit to new deals.

New ARLC CEO David Smith will start work in February, and could immediately be faced with the headache of making sure the NRL's pre-season showpiece event proceeds.

Asked about the potential boycott, RLPA CEO David Garnsey said: "That hasn't come from me. I am focused on the negotiations.

"We're expecting something to be put to us on Friday.

"But certainly it's something we'll look at and respond to."