NRL, RLPA pay dispute: Justin Olam thwarted secret recording operation

An NRL executive’s alleged undercover operation to record a confidential RLPA meeting was thwarted by the game’s most feared hit man.

NRL CEO Andrew Abdo was at the meeting in question. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty

Peter V’landys has vowed to investigate allegations that senior NRL executives attempted to illegally record a private meeting of players and NRL CEO Andrew Abdo.

The latest explosive development in rugby league’s pay war threatens to come at the expense of two senior NRL employees.

Players Union chair Diedre Anderson sent an email alerting V’landys to the stunning claims over the weekend.

The incident is alleged to have occurred last Friday when up to 50 players and RLPA staff met Abdo at leadership conference organised by the Rugby League Players Association at Homebush.

It’s understood Storm centre Justin Olam was the player who spotted the female NRL executive allegedly attempting to record the opening minutes of Abdo’s discussion with the players.

It is understood Abdo has told the ARLC that he had no knowledge of the executive’s alleged attempts to record, nor did he give any instruction to do so.

It has been suggested that a directive to allegedly record the meeting may have been given by a fellow NRL executive.

It’s believed the female NRL executive left the room once Olam and the shocked players realised the attempted breach of confidence had been made.

The female executive denied she was recording the meeting, suggesting she was only preparing to tape Abdo’s messaging to the players.

Justin Olam outed the recording operation. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty

NRL CEO Andrew Abdo was at the meeting in question. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty

Either way, the players as a collective are seething over the incident with RLPA board members speaking with V’landys on Tuesday.

Anderson’s letter says “that upon arrival, Andrew [Abdo] was accompanied by [an NRL employee] … this was disappointing given [the employee] was not invited, nor had Andrew given any forewarning that [the employee] would be attending.”

“Nevertheless, RLPA management (with the consent of player leaders), allowed (the employee) to sit in on Andrew’s discussion out of respect for [their] role ... To ensure an open and honest environment for Andrew and the players, no filming or recording of this session was permitted and no media representatives were present. “What then followed is nothing short of illegal which, on its face, seriously calls into question the integrity of the NRL, its executive and its culture. I am instructed that a player (who I will not name), raised concerns with RLPA staff that (the employee) was covertly recording the session on [their] phone. The player raised the concern based on their understanding that attendees were not permitted to record these discussions.

“An RLPA staff member queried with (the official) as to whether [they were] recording, which (the official) denied (twice). Upon further inquiry by the staff member, [they] lifted [their] phone (which was face down) and realised that the screen clearly showed that a recording was taking place. [They] then asked to speak to the staff member outside, and the two left the room in full view of all players in attendance.

“Once outside, (the official) admitted to recording the conversation and acknowledged it was inappropriate for [them] to be doing so. Further, (the employee) stated that [they] had been acting under the instruction of another NRL executive. After the session, [RPLA CEO] Clint [Newton] addressed the matter separately with (the official) and Andrew, and advised that the playing group and the RLPA are aware of the incident due to the public nature of what unfolded, and that the RLPA will need to appropriately consider our options with next steps given the seriousness of the matter.

“Now I don’t feel I need to state how concerning these actions were. The deliberate and covert nature of the recording is breathtaking. It is immoral, unethical and illegal. There was no consent granted to record. In fact, no attempt to seek consent occurred.”

NRL headquarters in Sydney. Picture: Matt King/Getty

The players’ anger stems from the belief that they would be reprimanded and facing sanction had it been them that had attempted to break rank during a private meeting.

Cowboys halfback and RLPA delegate Chad Townsend tweeted as much on Tuesday: “Hopefully NRL Integrity Unit onto this....”

Another senior NRL player added: “The NRL integrity unit is not only for the players, it’s for officials at the clubs and also the NRL. I would like to see them treated with the same process players go through. I fully expect the NRL integrity unit to investigate it and ... get to the bottom of it in an independent way. It is illegal what has been done. This has overstepped the mark in a really big way.”

V‘landys told News Corp he would get to the bottom of the matter.

“I have had a call from the RLPA chair and a player rep, and I gave them a commitment I would look into it.” V‘landys said.

“I will 100 per cent deliver on the commitment.”