'Not that hard': Bennett rips drawn out pay dispute

1 year ago 70

Legendary manager Wayne Bennett has deed the NRL betwixt the eyes implicit its relation successful the protracted quality with the Rugby League Players Association (RLPA) implicit a caller corporate bargaining agreement.

The stand-off betwixt the 2 parties reached breaking constituent connected Wednesday erstwhile RLPA members voted to boycott each media commitments connected NRL, NRLW and State of Origin crippled days, careless of whether their squad is playing.

Addressing reporters aft the Dolphins' 23-21 aureate constituent triumph implicit the Titans connected Sunday, Bennett said helium hoped a solution would beryllium reached soon.

"Looking from the extracurricular in, it's a mates [of issues] that are making it hard. I don't cognize however galore are connected the table, I lone cognize 3 oregon 4 of them but they're not that hard if idiosyncratic wants to springiness a small bit," helium said.

‘It’s not astir money’: RLPA brag gives update connected CBA negotiations

While the players person agreed to the wage presumption enactment guardant by the NRL, determination are respective sticking points stopping them from signing disconnected connected the CBA.

One of the cardinal issues the 2 parties person failed to hold connected is the schedule, with the RLPA unhappy that the NRL was capable to adhd an further crippled to the regular play without seeking the statement of the players first.

On that point, Bennett took the players' side.

"Extra games - the anticipation of the crippled doing that - I conscionable can't spot wherefore that would beryllium truthful important to the game," helium said.

"You've got a tremendous contention present and we've got State of Origin and Test matches and Indigenous games - we capable everybody's wishes.

"It should beryllium sorted, the NRL has evidently got a presumption arsenic well, but the bully happening astir the wealth is that's beauteous done [and has been] enactment connected the table.

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The State of Origin finale volition beryllium impacted by the players' media boycott. (Getty) (Getty)

"I'm not sitting astatine the meetings truthful I don't know, but I cognize this much, they person to find a mode to solution due to the fact that it's not successful anybody's interest."

Without a settlement, RPLA main enforcement Clint Newton said connected Sunday that the media blackout could escalate to a onslaught - a measurement Bennett could not support.

"Personally, I couldn't backmost that," helium said.

"There's much than america successful this crippled and they're called the fans, and they don't merit that.

"And the players, erstwhile it each is said and done, person been guaranteed their income and that woody has been done. They've conscionable got to tidy up immoderate different stuff."

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