Senior NRL players have doubled down on strike action remaining a real possibility with the pre-season competition just six days away.
Negotiations between the NRL and RLPA over the collective bargaining agreement have turned ugly in recent months and there is no resolution in sight.
The spat went public late last year when players started publicly slamming the governing body and accused senior officials of disrespecting them.
Watch the new look NRL Pre-Season exclusive to Fox League available on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
Kangaroos star Harry Grant ignited controversy with his comments at the World Cup in November, before Broncos veteran Kurt Capewell dropped a bombshell in January.
Capewell said the players are willing to strike – unprecedented in the NRL era – and accused the NRL of failing to make a sincere effort to listen to the players.
Abdo fiercely rejected that notion this week, but the threat of strike action has become a significantly more realistic problem for the NRL with games scheduled next week.
Panthers re-sign Martin on one-year deal | 00:38
Raiders stars Josh Papali’i and Joe Tapine are the latest players to speak out on the fight this week, with both telling foxsports.com.au “nothing is off the table”.
The major sticking points in the negotiations are the players want “a seat at the table” with decisions that impact their work conditions.
Examples include if the season changes length, if fines are increased, or if policies relating to drug use and criminal proceedings are being changed.
“You can’t sit in a company that’s not willing to look after you,” Papali’i told foxsports.com.au.
“You want to do your best and put your best foot forward and we just want to be treated fairly at the end of the day.
“We sacrifice our bodies to entertain the public and not everyone is going to agree with what we’re trying to do here, but it’s for the players safety and it does make it a better place at the end of the day.
“But if the NRL don’t see it that way then like other players have said, nothing is off the table and all players are on the same page.”
The RLPA also wants an increased minimum wage, higher match fees and better private health care in retirement.
The average salary in the NRL is around $370,000 – but that figure is skewed because the big money is earned by a minority of players.
The median salary – the player in the 50th percentile pay bracket – earns around $200,000 less than the average, according to the RLPA.
That means half of NRL players earn less than $175,000 per season, while the average first-grade career lasts just 45 games.
MORE NRL NEWS
‘FROM A KID TO A MAN’: ‘Phenomenal’ pre-season signs Red V gun now holds
FOOTY IS BACK: Every club’s biggest issue for the NRL trials
‘FINDING A REASON’: League legend’s stance on NRL’s proposed ‘Respect Round’
The RLPA wants a new medical support fund because under the current CBA, players’ surgeries and rehabilitation costs are only covered for 12 months after they retire.
“It’s a short career and most players have to go work after it and they’re going to have to work with injuries that were caused by playing footy,” Papali’i said.
“The players are all on the same page and the NRL have to come to some solid terms that the players are happy with and we’ll be sorted.
“The RLPA has the backing of all the players. We’re slowly get there, it’s a progress, but it’s far from sorted.”
NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo and RLPA boss Clint Newton were locked in lengthy in-person negotiations for a third straight day on Thursday.
Eels ink new deal for star man | 00:29
Those discussions centred around the women’s CBA, which is expected to be finalised on Friday. Attention will then return to resolving the NRL players’ issues before the trials.
A players leadership conference will take place on Friday and Saturday, before the ‘Pre-season Challenge’ kicks off next Thursday.
Canberra and Kiwi star Tapine echoed Papali’i and reminded the NRL that without players, there is no game.
“We just want our voices heard because we are a big part of that NRL brand, we just want a seat at the table,” Tapine said.
“It’s just about having a voice at the table and actually having a say and having the NRL understand that.
MORE NRL NEWS
‘WHERE MY HEART IS’: Manly gun ready to continue Fulton legacy in new position
WHISPERS: Broncos set to extend Billy Walters’ rival as hooker battle heats up
FACING THE SACK: Broncos star in trouble again after Australia Day incident
“The players are together on this, we do have thoughts on the game and we need to have a proper discussion with where the game is going.”
Tapine, who finished last year as one of the best players in the world, is an RLPA delegate at the Raiders and was asked by foxsports.com.au if he was willing to strike if necessary.
“We don’t want to get to that stage but everything is on the table at the moment,” Tapine
“It’s a bit above my pay grade, I’m just starting my journey in that space (as a delegate) but it’s definitely a journey I want to learn more about.
“For me it’s about being more involved with what’s going on instead of just cruising through life.
“You’re not going to be playing footy forever, that’s life and sometimes players don’t realise it until you’re actually out in the wild.
“I just signed this new contract and after it I’ll be 33 or 34, so that’s a huge focus for the next four to five years, trying to figure out what I’m passionate about away from footy.
“It’s pretty hard when you’re right in the middle of your career and playing good footy. You just want to be playing good footy and you want to live in the moment, but it is a daunting feeling thinking you’ve only got four or five years in the game.
MORE NRL NEWS
‘BIGGEST REGRET’: Talakai’s Origin moment he’d love to forget after breakout 2022
TALKING PTS: Dolphins’ Mission Impossible; what will make or break Ponga switch
TRELLEVISION: Latrell’s new Souths deal could be his last. He wants stay in the game
TEAMS: Son of a gun gets first crack at Broncos’ No.1 as Dolphins reveal first trial side
“What are you going to do for that 20 years? It’s daunting for a lot of players.
“It felt like last year I debuted and it’s been nine or 10 years. I’m getting to be one of the older boys in the group and trying to teach these boys about life outside of footy is hard when you’re not certain yourself on what you’re going to do.”
NRL champion Corey Parker retired in 2016 after 347 games for the Broncos, 19 Origins for Queensland and 13 Tests for Australia.
The 40-year-old emphasised rugby league players pay a significant price with their bodies and doesn’t believe the current fight is about money.
Turbo back in Aus and ready to fire | 01:07
“The players aren’t being greedy, first and foremost,” Parker said.
“I’m not involved in the four walls these days but just looking back to when I was playing, all you want is a fair hearing.
“Players still want that, I don’t think it’s to do with getting more money, they just want different terms and conditions.
“It’s a taxing sport, rugby league. I played it for 16-odd years. Your body is not the same when you first started.
“I’m not blaming the game for that, that’s part and parcel of it, I knew what I was signing up for but that’s also not to say there shouldn’t be some things in favour of the players.”
Get all the latest NRL news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!
