The NRL has scored a major victory over the players union on the no-fault stand-down rule

The NRL has been vindicated in their decision to bring in the no-fault stand-down rule after an independent arbiter ruled in their favour.

Peter V'landys has championed the no-fault stand-down rule since becoming chair

The no-fault stand-down rule is here to stay. The NRL has scored a knockout victory over the players union after an independent arbiter ruled the governing body was within its rights to bring in the rule, which dictates players are automatically stood down should they face charges resulting in prison sentences of 11 years or more.

The decision, so comprehensive the NRL were awarded costs, signals the end of Jack de Belin’s hopes of playing again before his trial on sexual assault charges in April. So too Manly hooker Manase Fainu, who has been stood down under the rule since he was charged for allegedly stabbing a man at a Mormon church dance more than a year ago. He is due to face court again in July.

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De Belin initially fought the rule in the federal court but the judge ruled in favour of the NRL. The Dragons forward then indicated he would take the matter to the full federal court, before abruptly ending his quest. The last throw of the dice was the Rugby League Players Association as they challenged the process that brought the rule into effect.

The essence of their argument was that they were not sufficiently consulted. That bid has now failed, heralding a major victory for ARL Commission chair Peter V’landys, chief executive Andrew Abdo and commissioner Peter Beattie.

Beattie championed the rule coming into effect when he was chair, Abdo vouched for it during the federal court battle and V’landys has backed it since he came into power. All three had plenty to lose had the arbiter ruled against the NRL.

The NRL’s comprehensive victory is therefore a personal win for the trio and further reinforces the governing body’s capacity to run the competition as they see fit.

It has also turned into an expensive decision by the RLPA — it is believed the cost could be north of six figures — although in defence of chief executive Clint Newton, the process was started by his predecessor Ian Prendergast.

It is understood the arbiter handed down his decision on Monday morning, the NRL and RLPA having endured a nervous weekend after they were informed that the documentation had been finalised on Friday afternoon.

The decision comes as the NRL prepares to sit down with the RLPA to discuss further safeguarding the game’s finances and credibility by increasing the sanctions for player misbehaviour.

So concerned has the governing body been with the financial ramifications of poor off-field behaviour, they are intent on ramping up the sanctions to try to persuade players to stay on the straight and narrow.

The Australian revealed last week that the game had lost millions in a potential sponsorship with a major hardware company after it was turned off by player behaviour.

Should the RLPA dig in their heels, Monday’s decision suggests the NRL could press ahead given they have the imprimatur of the federal court and the arbiter.

The NRL declined to comment on the outcome on Monday while the RLPA confirmed their claim had been unsuccessful, but said they were intent on working with the NRL and clubs on a range of matters in coming months.

Meanwhile, the NRL is expected to make a call on Wednesday over their immediate plans for the Melbourne Storm.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews is expected to decide on Wednesday morning whether to extend the state’s lockdown, a decision that will have major ramifications for the Storm.

Melbourne officials remain confident they will be able to stay in Victoria, although that may change if the lockdown is extended.

The club has a trial scheduled for next weekend against Newcastle at AAMI Park, but the game is now in jeopardy due to the latest outbreak of COVID-19 in Melbourne.

If the Storm do shift to NSW, they are likely to set up a base near Newcastle and stay there for the foreseeable future. The Storm released a statement on Monday morning insisting there were no plans for club to move from their headquarters at AAMI Park.

“The team has been given approval to continue training in Melbourne under the Victorian government’s directions and, as we have done in the past, we will monitor the situation closely and plan accordingly,” the Storm said.

However, the NRL were in dialogue throughout the day with the Storm and it became clear that they held genuine concerns over the club’s future should they stay in Melbourne and the lockdown be extended.

Having remarkably navigated a path through last year, the last thing the NRL would want is to have the start of this year’s premiership interrupted due to coronavirus.