NRL cancel season launch amid player standoff

The NRL has put a pin in its season launch due to the ongoing Collective Bargain Agreement (CBA) dispute between the league and the players.

News Corp reports that the decision to cancel the scheduled event comes due to the NRL wanting to avoid any further conflict with the players.

The report says that talks have been progressing well and the league is keen to keep them going in the right direction without any barriers.

The players still haven’t ruled out strike action that could come in the form of boycotting games, however, both parties are eager to get the agreement sorted before Round 1 which kicks off on March 2.

A statement from the NRL read: “Due to the ongoing collective bargaining agreement negotiations, the NRL will not hold a season launch function this Thursday as originally planned.

“The NRL remains focused on making positive progress regarding the joint NRL and NRLW agreements.”

ARL head Peter V’landys reportedly became involved in the negotiations this week in hopes of making headway to come to an agreement for the CBA.

The NRLW had agreed on a deal in principle for financial terms for the players and additional provisions that would allow for support during pregnancy and infant care.

Penrith Panthers star Nathan Clearly revealed a few days ago that the players would be prepared to sit out NRL games if an agreement couldn’t be reached.

He said: “We’re prepared to sit out games. It’s obviously not something we want to do (because) it’s robbing the fans of what they want to see.

“In saying that, it’s something we’re prepared to do to get our fair share.

“I think it’s just about the NRL coming to the party and wanting to find that middle ground where we can have that fair share. At the moment, unfortunately, it hasn’t happened yet so we’ll have to wait and see.”

However, the World Cup winner is confident that the CBA can be reached between the two parties before the start of the season.

He continued: “I’m not in on the inside of the negotiations, but I think it will be.

“I don’t think anyone from our side or the NRL’s side wants there to be no games, so hopefully we can come to an agreement. In saying that, we’re not just going to roll over and fall down to what the NRL wants.”

Last Thursday (February 16), the Rugby League Player’s Association (RLPA) confirmed that they had not received an updated offer from the ARLC and NRL since December 23.