NRL players back down from revolt threat

NRL players insist they are committed to resuming the premiership on May 28 despite issuing an earlier threat not to return to training next week.

NRL players are due to return to training next week but may hold out

NRL players insist they are committed to resuming the premiership on May 28 but are still waiting on clarification on a host of matters, including transparency around the game’s finances based on the revised competition structure and the distribution of player payments.

“We are in ongoing discussions with the NRL and our members today regarding a range of employment matters that require clarification,” Rugby League Players’ Association chief executive Clint Newton said.

“We have requested further information and clear direction from the NRL and we are committed to continuing to work through this process in good faith.”

The RLPA is also seeking some clarity around health and safety regimes that will apply to the players, club staff and officials who are subject to the biosecurity protocols; a plan for the wellbeing and welfare support for players and their families; medical and injury management support for players; and detail on government approval for interstate and internationally based teams in relation to their travel, training and playing environment.

Meetings between the NRL and the players union on Thursday afternoon are set to dictate whether clubs return to training on Monday after the playing group received a revised offer that would result in them receiving 80 per cent of their salary this season.

It is understood ARL Commission chair Peter V’landys presented the revised offer to the players amid talk that they would revolt and force the competition to postpone its planned resumption on May 28 — they are due to return to training next week.

The players were initially offered 70 per cent of their pay for the 2020 season — they have already been paid in full until the end of May. That would have meant they only received around 30 per cent of their outstanding pay.

Under the revised offer, they would receive just over 50 per cent of the money that they are due until the end of the season.

It is understood NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo tabled the initial terms to the playing group on Wednesday night, offering them a further 17 per cent for the remainder of the season on top of the 53 per cent they have already been paid.

The players union then held a phone hook-up with player delegates where the offer was rejected, putting the May 5 training resumption and May 28 premiership start-up dates into peril.

The RLPA was locked in further talks with their delegates on Thursday morning. It is unclear whether the offer of an additional 17 per cent was just made to the Warriors, or the playing group across the board.

Regardless, the players are united behind the Warriors, who are due to fly out of Auckland on Sunday to set up camp in Tamworth in preparation for the season’s resumption on May 28.

The NRL’s situation is made problematic by the lack of certainty around broadcasting money for the remainder of the season.

V’landys has been locked in talks with the Nine Network and Foxtel as he looks to secure the game’s financial future.

The delicate nature of those talks has been rammed home by the latest setback to the game involving the players.