The pay war between the NRL, the players’ union and clubs shows no signs of abating despite the stakeholders completing two days of high-powered negotiations late on Monday.
It was the first time all three parties came together since the Rugby League Players’ Association responded to the governing body’s initial offer on next year’s salary cap last month.
They released a joint statement describing talks as “constructive”.
“The RLPA welcomed the information and remains committed to ensuring players receive a fair outcome out of the negotiations,” RLPA chief executive Ian Prendergast said.
NRL chief operating officer Nick Weeks said that while the two-day meeting was crucial in taking steps forward, admitted a collective bargaining agreement is far from being decided on.
“All parties are treating the negotiations seriously and respectfully and we look forward to making further progress in the weeks ahead,” he said.
RLPA board member Jeremy Latimore said on Monday that the union had yet to discuss possible NRL strike action, but it isn’t out of the question.
This week’s meeting comes just a week after RLPA general president and Kangaroos captain Cameron Smith refused to rule out a possible strike.
But Latimore said it was something that was yet to be raised as a player group, and he was aware it would be an ugly look for the game.
“It hasn’t been spoken about as yet. It wouldn’t be a great look. I hope it doesn’t get to that. And I don’t think it will as long as the NRL are on board,” he said.
The key issue in the negotiations revolves around the players’ push for a revenue sharing model, in which they want to include a base salary cap of $9.1 million next season before long-serving player and car allowances are added.
The NRL is understood to prefer a fixed model, which would see a gradual increase of player payments by 45 per cent over the life of the next television deal, between 2018 and 2022.
Latimore insisted the players were more united in their cause than ever.
“It’s the first time in the history of the RLPA where everyone is on board and behind the RLPA,” he said.
“Everyone is together and on board. In the past there hasn’t been that.
“Now we just need the NRL to come to the party and help get it done because it’s frustrating for the fans, it’s frustrating for all the players.”