RLPA chief executive Clint Newton has emphatically denied a pay dispute with the NRL and insists players are not planning a revolt.
The NRL’s plans to resume training next week were thrown into disarray on Thursday when it was revealed high profile players had threatened to dig their heels in until they received clarity over wages.
With the Warriors refusing to fly from New Zealand to an Australian base until they also get clarity over wages as well as whether families can join them, it was intended as a show of solidarity.
However, Newton stressed terms and conditions are the sticking point, not wages.
“There is no player revolt, there is no pay dispute right now because we actually don’t have any numbers, we don’t have the figures, we don’t know what’s available to actually distribute to clubs, players and other stakeholders,” Newton said on Thursday night.
“We can’t actually be in any type of pay dispute if we don’t actually know the numbers.
“As opposed to previous years or when you’re involved in a CBA negotiation where you’re fully aware of the forecast revenue.
“At the moment we don’t have the definitive numbers.”
The NRL said it intends of paying players as close to 80 per cent of their wages for 2020 as possible but exact figures remain unclear.
Teams are currently due to reassemble on Monday, but until biosecurity guidelines and travel arrangements are finalised, training could be delayed.
Newton offered no assurances players would be at training on Monday until they get assurances on terms and conditions, which is expected to anger the NRL.
There is also a belief from some that players are bound to return to training, given they will receive full pay for the month of May.
However, should training be delayed, it would not affect the NRL’s planned restart date.
The simmering development comes as talks between the league and its television networks continue on new broadcast revenues for the revised season, with suggestions that won’t be decided until next week.
Earlier on Thursday, Nine, the NRL’s free-to-air broadcast partner, reported that it is agitating to pay only about 76 per cent of its $118 million due to the league this year after the season was postponed then shortened.
It also claimed pay-TV provider Foxtel wants to pay 84 per cent of its $190 million annual payment, with both networks having taken significant financial hits.
Those numbers are in line with the 20 per cent reduction in the normal 25-round regular season the league on Monday locked in for this year.
Clubs have been yet to be told of cuts to their NRL grants.
It comes as the Warriors wait on whether they can fly out of New Zealand on Sunday to begin training while in isolation in Tamworth
While a charter flight has been booked, the club continues to demand certainty around a number of issues before stepping on a plane including remuneration and whether families can join them.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
I could be wrong but I suspect within 2 weeks the restart of the game will be close to a certainty and it's happy days. I'm hearing the experts saying that more testing is the best way forward and you would imagine they will ramp it up and keep a closer eye on the menace as the days roll on.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Its a mamoth task to get this thing done FT. The number of moving parts is incredible. If it gets up it is one helluvan achievment. Fantastic progress so far BUT. Will it actually happen.? I have no idea but I am on the cheer squad to get it done. I have no idea what motivates those that bask in glory at every setback. I like to see everyone suceed .
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
If the Warriors weren't allowed in the pitchforks would be out with a big dose of ''I told you so'' with every jab. Now the pitchforks will be out because it's ''crazy and selfish'' to let the Warriors in. Mobs with pitchforks always think they win no matter what happens. The biggest losers if the game doesn't kick off this year are the players on huge money. If they are now the main stumbling block , the flare wielding barbarians are in a spot of bother in their quest to derail the season.
Dayer
Roar Rookie
Fake news :laughing:
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Just heard, the national cabinet will allow the Warriors in on Sunday. What next !!!!!! Vlandys sorting out a pay deal or something? No it's just not on.
Greg
Guest
The Roosters are actually one of the least affected teams from Origin, only Cordner and Tedesco played 2 or more games last year, so it actually leaves them in a worse position as Souths, Storm, Manly, Broncos, Dragons, and Knights all had more players missing.
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
Can someone explain to me if there are some players not happy about the "pay deal" does the RLPA take a vote whether to resume training with all players involved in the ballot? If so does "majority rule" & disenchanted players have to accept the vote result. I see where some AFL players are not happy about proposed projected isolation arrangements. Interested to see how the AFL equivalent of RLPA handles that matter. On another topic has anybody considered with SOO scheduled for end of the season that teams who were previously affected will not be disadvantaged this year. Hence a Roosters Threepeat may still be on the cards despite a winless start. That would make a lot of you happy!
Big Daddy
Guest
Thanks Nat, Agree 100% about wordings like player revolt. Like you I'd like to see rugby league being played I'd like to see agreement from both Federal and state health authorities and particularly broadcasters . I can understand concerns from players and it just seems like a stalemate. It's no good being personal and a lot people get attacked just because they have differing opinions. Also respect your opinions. Go the Bronco's.
Nat
Roar Guru
BD, I can appreciate your opinion on the topic, it's usually very sound and respectful. This stuff is Fox 101. Their MO for years has been clicks-by-controversy. They get 5 talking heads on Zoom and one of them highlights that training starts Monday (apparently) and they don't know what the financial and arrangements will be. This is less than 24hrs after a broadcast deal was reached. So what's the headline "Player Revolt..." There's no context and very little substance but we clicked on it and that was the goal the whole time.
Big Daddy
Guest
You hear individual players speaking out saying different things to RLPA so I'm not convinced about any of this at the moment. Some people are afraid to speak out for fear of repercussions and some just toe the party line. The 2 most important decisions are government health approval and broadcast payments and I haven't heard any comment from either party.
Paul
Roar Guru
Not living in Sydney, I'm guessing some journo there is trying to stir a non-existent pot. Thankfully Newton has made the RLPA position clear, so there's no problems at the moment