NRL player revolt: Wayne Bennett explains why players need to thank Peter V’landys

As Peter V’landys continues to come in for some serious heat over the high tackle crackdown, legendary NRL coach Wayne Bennett says he has his back over the contentious issue.

Wayne Bennett is a big supporter of the crackdown (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)

A fired-up Wayne Bennett has come out swinging in defence of Peter V’landys amid talk of a player revolt over the high tackle crackdown.

The game’s longest serving coach says some NRL stars just don’t understand that the controversial crackdown on illegal high shots is all about protecting their long-term health — and to stop players suing the game in years to come.

There has been growing speculation that a group of high profile senior players are now plotting to overthrow the ARL Commission chairman in relation to a supposed lack of respect and consultation over recent rule changes.

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But Bennett is adamant: “There is nobody upset at South Sydney”.

And Bennett was absolutely livid at the suggestion the crackdown was ruining the game.

“You can quote me on this,” Bennett fired.

“The players are the ones the game is protecting.

Wayne Bennett is a big supporter of the crackdown (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)

“They are the ones whose careers are being retired early now because of concussions.

“They are the ones who are likely to if not suing already the game.

“The game is trying to protect them.

“And yet there is a group of them who haven’t got the understanding of what the game is trying to do for them.”

NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo also shot down suggestions that the players were being ignored.

He said he and V’landys met with RLPA president Clint Newton two weeks ago and specifically asked him to bring the players’ concerns to them and as yet Newton has not responded.

“I speak to him several times a week and I have asked for specific feedback on areas the players have concerns about,” Abdo explained.

“And I haven’t received anything.

“And we said at that meeting we will always, always, be open to engaging with, listening to, and talking to the players about all major elements of the game.

“But from time to time regulators have to make calls and have to lead the game, and not everyone is going to agree with those decisions.

“But those decisions are always going to be in the best interests of the game and that is the role of the commission.

“I have asked Clint for some specifics and I haven’t received any to date.”

NRL CEO Andrew Abdo. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)

And Abdo wasn’t backing away from the crackdown on the eve of State of Origin.

Asked if the NRL regretted that it went as hard as it did initially, he said: “No. Not at all.

“I am 100 per cent confident that we are doing the right thing. This is about protecting the players. This is about protecting the game. This is about making sure our game is relevant into the future.”

Abdo also said he’d never met a person who cares more deeply about the long-term future of the game.

“As far as I’m concerned the game is incredibly fortunate to have a chairman like Peter V’landys,” he added.

“He has driven us to get back on the field faster than any other sport.

“We have secured revenues for the clubs and the players. And we have managed to make some huge shifts in the game in a positive sense.

“I don’t know of any person I have worked with that doesn’t care more deeply or think more deeply about the long term future of the game, and always thinks about what is in the best interests of the game.”

Peter V'landys is a proven innovator. Picture: NCA NewsWire / James Gourley

Newton denied the players were out to overthrow V’landys and he said no players had indicated V’landys should not be in charge.

“I haven’t spoken to any senior players that have said to me ‘I want him out’,” Newton said.

“What I do know is that there is absolutely a very strong sentiment amongst the players that they are frustrated and agitated at the moment and we have made that clear to the NRL, countless times.

“As recent as the other Tuesday when I met with Peter and Andrew.

“The reality is all this goes away if the NRL choose to communicate and engage with us respectfully and just start listening.”

Newton said player representatives at every club had complied a list of grievances that would be passed onto the NRL “in the immediate future”.

But he was steadfast there would be no threat of strike action.

“Strike is absolutely for me a failure across all leadership,” he said.

“That is not what players want, that is not what fans want … that has never been a consideration for me.

“All the players are asking for is to be respected and involved in the decisions that shape our game.”

Originally published as NRL player revolt: Wayne Bennett explains why players need to thank Peter V’landys