The head of the organisation that protects rugby league players in Australia has called for English-based players to form their own union in light of comments made by the Huddersfield hooker Luke Robinson in which he described the Rugby Football League as being “short-sighted”.
Speaking this week, Robinson called for the salary cap in this country to be increased in order to attract the world’s best players and hit out at current player wages in the UK, saying: “Everything has gone up with inflation apart from our job. I think that needs addressing.” Super League clubs can currently spend up to £1.825m on their salary cap, while National Rugby League teams in Australia are able to spend upwards of $7m (£3.4m).
Clint Newton, the chairman of the Rugby League Players Association (RLPA), which represents those at both professional and semi-professional level in Australia – and a former Super League player himself with Hull Kingston Rovers – believes Robinson’s comments highlights the needs for players in this country to organise for the sake of their careers.
“It’s crucial to have an association,” he told the Guardian. “It rests squarely at the feet of the players; they can say they want better entitlements but without the players standing up and reacting as a collective, then it is always going to be a case of what’s happening now, which is just players venting frustration.
“It’s vital the playing group are doing all they can to ensure the best interests of the players at all levels are met.”
Newton said the RLPA would support the creation of a union for professional players in England; the most recent entity, League 13, closed in October, leaving professionals without an association. There is, however, a union in operation for other levels of the sport.
“We would always offer support to the players in the UK, but it’s vital we don’t overreach and we look after our players over here first and foremost,” he said. “The player movement on a global scale is one that’s getting stronger and the sooner any code around the world has a strong players association, it’s only going to create a better game.
“If you’re not listening to your workers in any walk of life – in this case the players – then you’re not going to have a true reflection of how things are progressing. The fact you’ve got an experienced player like Luke saying this, you’ve got to respect his opinion.”
He added: “Realistically the game needs to make sure they’re tracking in line with other codes. It’s not just about making sure they’re earning the same as footballers or rugby union players in the UK, but they also need to make sure they’re keeping up with the demands that are put on the players, and I’m just not sure that’s happened.”
The RFL declined to comment.
