NRL players have called off threats to delay kick-off times, cover NRL logos on their jerseys and refuse media requests after significant progress in the tense collective bargaining agreement negotiations.
According to sources speaking to the Herald on the condition of anonymity given the sensitive talks, members of the Rugby League Players’ Association are unlikely to demonstrate during the second night of the pre-season challenge.
The Sharks will tackle the Knights, and the Sea Eagles play the Rabbitohs, in Gosford on Friday night.
The players’ union initially set a Thursday deadline to reach agreement with the NRL on three key conditions of the CBA talks, but opted to decide by lunchtime on Friday about whether to disrupt the trial matches.
But they backed off after NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo and RLPA boss Clint Newton met late into Thursday night. Both were travelling to New Zealand on Friday for the All-Stars game in Rotorua on Saturday.
Several clubs have told players they didn’t want them to carry out the actions, which were agreed upon by the playing group after their annual conference last Friday.
Jarome Luai and senior NRL stars have backed down from threats to delay kick-off in trial matches and cover NRL logos.Credit:Getty
The proposal was relayed to all players on Wednesday after senior stars expressed frustration about the lack of progress in talks over their terms and conditions.
The RLPA wanted agreement on key facets of the women’s game and funding autonomy from the NRL.
The NRL is offering a $100,000 winners’ purse in the 18-team tournament, which will also feature Super League champions St Helens.
The Warriors thumped the Tigers in the opening match of the two-week competition on Thursday night.
The players’ union is angling for $90 million over five years to subsidise injury hardship, retirement and wellbeing programs, but the NRL wants discretion in how the money is spent.
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