Legendary coach Wayne Bennett has hit the NRL between the eyes over its role in the protracted dispute with the Rugby League Players Association (RLPA) over a new collective bargaining agreement.
The stand-off between the two parties reached breaking point on Wednesday when RLPA members voted to boycott all media commitments on NRL, NRLW and State of Origin game days, regardless of whether their team is playing.
Addressing reporters after the Dolphins’ 23-21 golden point victory over the Titans on Sunday, Bennett said he hoped a resolution would be reached soon.
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“Looking from the outside in, it’s a couple [of issues] that are making it hard. I don’t know how many are on the table, I only know three or four of them but they’re not that hard if someone wants to give a little bit,” he said.
‘It’s not about money’: RLPA boss gives update on CBA negotiations
While the players have agreed to the salary position put forward by the NRL, there are several sticking points stopping them from signing off on the CBA.
One of the key issues the two parties have failed to agree on is the schedule, with the RLPA unhappy that the NRL was able to add an additional game to the regular season without seeking the agreement of the players first.
On that point, Bennett took the players’ side.
“Extra games – the possibility of the game doing that – I just can’t see why that would be so important to the game,” he said.
“You’ve got a tremendous competition now and we’ve got State of Origin and Test matches and Indigenous games – we fill everybody’s wishes.
“It should be sorted, the NRL has obviously got a position as well, but the good thing about the money is that’s pretty done [and has been] put on the table.
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“I’m not sitting at the meetings so I don’t know, but I know this much, they have to find a way to resolution because it’s not in anybody’s interest.”
Without a settlement, RPLA chief executive Clint Newton said on Sunday that the media blackout could escalate to a strike – a measure Bennett could not support.
“Personally, I couldn’t back that,” he said.
“There’s more than us in this game and they’re called the fans, and they don’t deserve that.
“And the players, when it all is said and done, have been guaranteed their income and that deal has been done. They’ve just got to tidy up some other stuff.”
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