The NRL will reject the players union’s final settlement offer in a bitter rugby league wages battle, leaving the rugby players’ association hoping to strike a deal ahead of next Wednesday’s Origin Series opener in Adelaide.
Relations between the NRL and RLPA hit a new low on Wednesday as club bosses pulled out of meetings with the game’s stars, including Queensland captain Dally Cherie Evans, who has left Malone’s Origins camp for talks.
Earlier in the day, club owners were invited to a conference call with NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo, in which they were told that HQ may reject the players’ union’s latest and final offer.
Hours later, club representatives walked out of a similar meeting with RLPA player reps, who would have wanted to explain what they had submitted last time.
Cherry-Evans even took time out from Maroons’ Origin preparations to explain the player’s position to club officials.
The NRL told club officials it believed the RLPA had added several items to its settlement proposal that were not really agreed upon during the negotiations, according to the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the confidentiality of the talks.
RLPA Director of Players Daly Cherry-Evans.Credit: getty
The RLPA insists its submission is made in good faith.
The NBPA still plans to hold a Wednesday night meeting with directors of players Cherry Evans, Wade Graham and Christian Welch. Player representatives from 17 NRL clubs will also be in attendance.
