The growing concern over concussions and the need to look after players whose careers are cut short by head knocks has emerged as one of the biggest sticking points in the drawn-out CBA talks between the NRL and Rugby League Players’ Association.
That’s according to Parramatta recruit and RLPA director Josh Hodgson, who says the amount of money the NRL are proposing for the injury hardship fund is insufficient and the reason he is unlikely to back a deal with head office any time soon.
Josh Hodgson wants the NRL to invest more in the injury hardship fund.Credit:Getty Images
Despite the NRL tabling a record $1.347 billion in total player payments for the next five years, up from the $980m offered during the last CBA, the players claim that the new proposal will leave them worse off in several areas.
One of those is the injury hardship fund, which was funded to the tune of $3m each year before being reduced to $1m in 2020, 2021 and 2022 as a result of COVID.
Hodgson said the rise in concussions – not to mention the nearly 300 extra players in the game as a result of the ten NRLW teams and NRL expansion side the Dolphins – meant the NRL needed to make the fund a priority.
“People will hear about the salary cap being set at $12m and then call the players greedy for not accepting it,” Hodgson told the Herald.
“It’s the highest cap the game has ever offered, and if it was only about money we would have jumped at that offer.
What the RLPA want
- A seat at the table when it comes to making any employment-related changes during the current CBA, including any proposed increased to fines, changing the length of the season, and policies relating to criminal proceedings;
- An increased injury hardship fund, which will now need to cover more than 250 extra players because of the arrival of the Dolphins and 10 NRLW teams;
- A new medical support fund, which allows players to have surgeries and rehabilitation covered more than 12 months after they retire;
- A new collective bargaining agreement for the NRLW;
- Better training wages, an increased minimum wage and match fees;
- Better post-career programs to help players transition into normal life once they stop playing.
“But there are other things we are not matching up on, including the injury hardship fund. That’s a big one for me.
“Head knocks have become more relevant than ever, especially with so many people coming forward and saying they’ve had head injuries and head knocks and want to be checked out.
“It is going to become a really important issue. The game hasn’t done anything wrong when it comes to concussion. The NRL is learning about concussions on the run, just as the players are.
“But we want to make sure things are in place so players are protected if they are forced out of the game.”
The RLPA are also pushing to have more autonomy when it comes to allocating money the NRL provides them. Hodgson said the players were the “best placed to know who needed what.”
Talks between NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo and RLPA boss Clint Newton are expected to resume after they met last Thursday.
Talk of strike action has been floated, with North Queensland halfback Chad Townsend telling the Herald over the weekend: “I really hope a strike is not the option. As players, we have to consider all our options and what will be best for us. We’ll be prepared to do what it takes to achieve what we believe is fair and reasonable.
“The players are prepared to wait and be patient. We need to make sure the deal we sign isn’t just a good one for this year, but in the next four or five years.”
News, results and expert analysis from the weekend of sport sent every Monday. Sign up for our Sport newsletter.
