NRL News: RLPA & NRL agree 'in-principle' CBA deal, Fitzy certain Hynes can go higher, Parish quits as Samoa coach

The Rugby League Players’ Association (RLPA) and the NRL have reached an agreement in principle on a CBA that could see their protracted industrial dispute come to an end.

The deal still requires ratification by the players and the Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) and will go out to stakeholders in the coming days.

In light of the deal being all-but agreed, the RLPA is set to call off action this weekend with a further round of players taping over the NRL logos on their jerseys – and a rumoured plan to delay kick-off in the Manly-Penrith game – now shelved.

“The Rugby League Players Association is pleased to advise that it has reached in-principle agreement with the NRL on an historic collective bargaining agreement,” said a joint statement.

“Once ratified, this agreement will set rugby league up for the future while ensuring the rights of all NRL and NRLW players – current and future – are protected.

“The RLPA acknowledges the efforts of the NRL to resolve the CBA in recent days, and thanks its members for their resolve in ensuring a fair agreement that benefits the game and all of its stakeholders.”

Fitzy certain Hynes can go higher

Cronulla coach Craig Fitzgibbon insists Nicho Hynes has higher gears he can shift into after the Sharks playmaker snapped a form slump with the NRL finals series on the horizon.

Hynes spoke in depth earlier this week about how his “confidence was shot” after being dropped by NSW State of Origin coach Brad Fittler following defeat in the series opener.

The reigning Dally M medallist struggled to pick up the pieces and the flow-on effect has resulted in the Sharks slipping down the ladder.

There are hope that last weekend’s win over South Sydney will be the circuit-breaker for Hynes, whose remarkable rise as Cronulla halfback had been without obstacles until his Origin axing.

“His attitude towards a difficult period has been fantastic,” Fitzgibbon said. “He turns up every day and works hard, and you know when you work that hard you’ll figure it out and turn the corner.

(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

“He still has some more levels to go to yet. He’s an open book and I think that’s why he’s an admired figure, and this is the first time he’s had to go through some adversity.”

Fitzgibbon said Hynes’ teammates needed to step up to the plate, too, arguing the charismatic No. 7 couldn’t do everything on his own.

“It’s unfair to tag Nicho with everything that’s been inconsistent about the Sharks,” Fitzgibbon said.

“We’re all included in that and we all need to get back to performing and doing our jobs better.”

The victory over Souths propelled the sixth-placed Sharks back into top-four contention and a win at home to the Gold Coast on Friday would further enhance their position.

Cronulla have won their last eight games against the Titans and can expect a hero’s reception for club great Wade Graham, who announced earlier this week that he’ll retire at season’s end.

Graham, 32, is the third-most capped player in Cronulla history behind Andrew Ettinghausen and Paul Gallen.

“The one premiership the club won, he was involved with that and was a huge part of that season and the whole 13 years he’s been here,” Fitzgibbon said.

“It would be hard to think that he hasn’t been one of the club’s most important recruits in its history.”

Parish quits as Samoa coach

Samoa are on the hunt for a new coach after Matt Parish announced he’s stepping down from the role following their history-making run to last year’s Rugby League World Cup final.

The Pacific nation broke new ground last year when they avenged a 60-6 group stage loss to England to beat the hosts in a semi-final.

Their qualification for the final at Old Trafford, where they lost to Australia, marked the first time since 1968 that a team other than the Kangaroos, Kiwis or England had reached a World Cup decider.

Their achievements sparked wild celebrations on the islands and among the diaspora in Australia, New Zealand and the USA.

(Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images for RLWC)

Parish guided Samoa at World Cups in 2013, 2017 and 2022 but the coach’s tenure had not been without tribulations and he was known to be prickly with the media. 

In 2021 players railed against him and there was a public campaign for him to be replaced by the Johns brothers and Sonny Bill Williams. Players publicly questioned the coach’s professionalism but the Rugby League Samoa board, who described him as a “blessing” to the nation on Thursday, stuck by him.

“I am extremely grateful and honoured to have been part of this wonderful team,” said Parish, who was ordained as a chief last year. I’m proud of the progress we have made and the positive impact that our players had on all Samoans around the world.”

Samoa are expected to play the Kangaroos and Kiwis in a tri-series later this year.

RLPA vs NRL feud may finally be over

The long-running dispute between the NRL and the players’ union appears to be nearing a conclusion after positive talks between the two factions following months of hostility.

The NRL and the RLPA (Rugby League Players’ Association) met on Wednesday and were to continue fresh talks on Thursday in the hope of finalising the game’s collective bargaining agreement (CBA).

The two parties have been at loggerheads for months but progress made at Wednesday’s meeting gave hope that a provisional agreement could be reached in coming days.

Players would then need to agree to the terms and legal teams would work through the fine print. 

But it is hoped such a process would be straightforward given both sides described Wednesday’s talks as positive after 20 months of tensions.

“It was a very positive meeting,” ARL Commission chair Peter V’landys tole media after the meeting with the RLPA.

“If that continues, which I’m confident it will, we should come to a resolution.”

The players released a video this week, titled “Stand with Us”, to show they are united in their fight with the NRL.

In recent weeks, players had taken action to protest the NRL’s handling of the talks, refusing to speak to the media on matchdays and taping over the NRL badge during round 22.

Players had also spoken of delaying kick-off times, boycotting the Dally M awards night and had floated the possibility of striking as further protest action.

The RLPA had been adamant that an independent mediator was needed to resolve the stand-off but has put that demand aside in the bid to thrash out an agreement. 

The outstanding issues do not centre around money after a $1.35 billion agreement was reached earlier this year, rather the topics of debate surround season length, digital rights and the international game. 

The RLPA has been steadfast in its desire to guarantee a long-term CBA for NRL players as well as securing a first NRLW CBA.

The NRLW remain without a CBA while the game’s male players have been operating under the terms of the previous agreement which lapsed last November. 

Haas’ mega deal hinges on post-footy opportunities

The manager of prop Payne Haas says the Brisbane star could re-sign with the club before November 1 if a package that includes a palatable “life after football” component is tabled.

The 23-year-old Haas is off contract at the end of 2024. His manager Ahmad Merhi previously suggested Haas would test the market on November 1. 

When asked directly on Tuesday night whether Haas could re-sign with the Broncos before that, Merhi replied: “One hundred per cent.”  

“The whole situation with Payne is about life after footy,” Merhi told AAP.

“It has got nothing to do with payments. It is all about getting him an education and a job in his life after footy.”

Merhi said he was hopeful the Broncos, for whom Haas will play his 100th NRL game on Friday night against Parramatta, would be the club to provide that pathway.

“I have always been hopeful,” he said.

Payne Haas leaves the Gabba with his NRL logo taped over. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)

“Why would you want to take him away from a club that is number one powerhouse in the competition?

“I believe Brisbane have the power to get it done.”

Haas could play for another 12 years in the NRL, earn millions of dollars and achieve greatness but Merhi insisted his next deal would be “all about” post-football pathways.

“That is always what it has been about,” he said. “Yes, the kid wants to win premierships.The kid wants to be in a successful side … but there is a good old saying that I said to him. I said, ‘mate, just remember this. Talent makes money but it takes brains to keep it’.”

Merhi said he was concerned Polynesian players made up such a high percentage of the NRL playing group but were not as well represented in NRL management or coaching roles. “Without the boys of Polynesian background there wouldn’t be a game today and I am striving to make sure that Payne has a gig in the sport that he loves, the NRL, and has the education and support from a club that wants to do it,” he said.

“I have been coaching kids prior to my management for 20 years and a number of NRL players that I know –  that I have coached and moved onto NRL – left the game without a penny to their name.

“The RLPA does much work in that avenue but if a player doesn’t have somebody to guide him and lead him in the right direction then these (opportunities post-football) don’t occur.”

with AAP