The NRL is privately weighing up whether it will stop funding the Rugby League Players’ Association in what would be an escalation of the long-running dispute between the groups.
The RLPA receives $3 million from the NRL each year to run its operation, with $15 million set aside for the next five years under the proposed collective bargaining agreement.
NRL players do not pay fees to be part of the association as it is not officially a union.
Some inside the NRL, however, are now wondering if the RLPA should fend for itself, given the stand-off over the CBA and recent decisions to refuse to speak to the media on game days and cover the NRL logo during matches. There has also been talk of players boycotting the Dally M awards at the end of the season.
Eyebrows were raised when RLPA chief executive Clint Newton flew to Melbourne to address the Australian Council of Trade Unions this week, with ACTU secretary Sally McManus saying: “The union movement stands ready to assist with their full support and unite with the players and their union, the RLPA.”
RLPA officials have repeatedly made it clear the organisation is not a registered union. If it was, NRL players would not automatically become members, they would need to opt in.
NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo and RLPA boss Clint Newton.Credit: Getty
The RLPA says the funding it receives is generated by the players, not the NRL.
That being the case, some inside league headquarters have asked why the players are not given the option to decide if they want to be RLPA members.
“The players already pay for their association, not the NRL,” the RLPA said in a statement. “The NRL is effectively the bank that also governs the game, and it should not and will not control the allocation of players’ money to their funds and services, including the independent RLPA.
“Once the players secure their share of revenue and the total amount for the term, the players will have control over the allocation of their funds. Not only is that the responsibility of the players, but the accepted standard across world sport and players associations. Just like the NRL and clubs, the players will decide where they allocate their funds.
NRL players covered up the league’s logo for round 22 in protest over the pay dispute.Credit: Getty
“If the NRL wants the players to decide where their money goes, then we welcome the NRL giving the players that autonomy to allocate their share of revenue.”
Given there are about 750 NRL and NRLW players, the $3 million in funding equates to roughly $4000 a year for each player. If the funding was withdrawn, players would, presumably, need to pay a similar amount each year.
It is unlikely all players would choose to join the RLPA if they had to pay fees, so the union would need to increase that amount to fund its operations.
The RLPA has baulked at the $15 million on the table for the next five years and wants closer to $20 million to cater for the increased number of players involved in the expanded NRLW competition.
Newton has repeatedly stated he wants an independent industrial relations mediator to work through the sticking points before signing off on a deal with the NRL.
In addition to the $15 million in funding from the NRL to run its operation, the RLPA has asked for $9 million for an injury hardship fund, $4.3 million for a new transition and past player fund, $10 million for a past players and medical hardship fund, and $800,000 for a general hardship fund, which will be topped up by money paid by players when fined by the match review committee.
Kangaroos, Kiwis and Samoa to meet at end of year
An end-of-season tri-nations series between Australia, New Zealand and Samoa is expected to be confirmed within a fortnight.
Sources with knowledge of the situation, who do not want to be named due to the sensitive negotiations between the NRL and RLPA, have told this masthead the tournament will be held over four weeks, with three Tests played in Australia and New Zealand before a final, expected to be on November 4, in New Zealand.
Australia and New Zealand have not hosted Test matches since the end of 2019, when the Kangaroos defeated the Kiwis in Wollongong, followed by a triple-header at Eden Park where Tonga stunned Australia.
Even if the NRL and RLPA remain at loggerheads over the CBA, including how much players should be paid for Test matches, the games are expected to proceed and be subsidised by the respective national bodies.
In New Zealand’s case, should a CBA not be brokered by October, they will pay their players and visiting teams about $3000 a Test.
The original plan was to include Tonga as well, but the Pacific powerhouse has accepted a three-Test series in England.
The NRL has proposed all players be paid a flat fee of $5000 a Test, including Australia, with the money taken from the record $1.34 billion they have tabled to the players in the new CBA.
The RLPA, however, wants any Test payments paid by the NRL from the money generated at each Test.
Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga has been open to a flat fee for all Test players – Australian players used to be paid $20,000 a Test – but would like win bonuses and financial incentives based on gate takings and TV ratings.
It is understood broadcasters are already in place for the tri-nations tournament.
Jarome Luai’s Samoa went all the way to last year’s World Cup final, which they lost to Australia, and there would be plenty of interest in the race between Reece Walsh and James Tedesco for the Kangaroos’ No.1 role.
The Kiwis are also sure to be riding high on the back of the Warriors’ success, including the resurgence of Shaun Johnson.
Stream the NRL Premiership 2023 live and free on 9Now.
Sports news, results and expert commentary. Sign up for our Sport newsletter.