NRL players refuse to commit to training as pay impasse rolls on

ARL Commission (ARLC) chairman Peter V'landys has hosed down suggestions of a player 'revolt', despite revelations that NRL stars won't return to training as planned on Monday.

The NRL’s plans to resume training next week were thrown into disarray on Thursday when it was revealed high profile players had threatened to dig their heels in until they received clarity over wages.

'LOOK LIKE IDIOTS': Karl Stefanovic slams 'revolting' NRL players

‘TERRIBLE SHOCK’: Rugby league star found dead at 27

‘IF ANY OF YOU F*** THIS UP’: Bellamy sprays Storm players

With the Warriors refusing to fly from New Zealand to an Australian base until they also get clarity over wages as well as whether families can join them, it was intended as a show of solidarity.

Melbourne Storm captain Cameron Smith was among several senior players to back the New Zealand side's stance.

On Friday, part of that issue was resolved with the New Zealand side committing to make the trip to Australia on Sunday.

A major stumbling block still remains over pay, with players unwilling to resume training until a broadcast agreement - and subsequently their own financial situations - are agreed upon.

The NRL said it intends on paying players as close to 80 per cent of their wages for 2020 as possible, but exact figures remain unclear.

The growing concerns over a pay agreement have cast a shadow of doubt over the NRL's May 28 resumption date, with clubs agreeing that three weeks of training was necessary before competition can resume.

Talks with broadcasters remain ongoing to determine exactly how much money will flow into the game this season and it's feared that if that can't be resolved early next week, then the competition start date may have to be pushed back.

Channel Nine league reporter Neil Breen says V'landys is confident he answered the concerns of players in Friday's meeting but admits there's still work to be done.

“(V’landys) believes he has allayed many of the players’ fear with regards to many things including pay and conditions but he wasn’t able to give them a final deal,” Nine’s Neil Breen said.

It's understood V'landys has received assurances that the players will attend biosecurity information sessions at their clubs on Monday, where they will be briefed on a range of safety protocols around the season resumption.

Breen reported that while players will return to their clubs on Monday for briefings, actual training "could be delayed for a few days until they sort out the players' pay".

ARLC boss confirms Warriors’ commitment

V'landys emerged from Friday's talks buoyed by the fact the Warriors has committed to relocating to Australia.

The ARLC chairman spoke with Warriors players on Friday morning, amid concerns of a revolt from all players in a show of unity with the club as they sought answers.

V'landys said the meeting cleared up several questions from across the Tasman, with the team set to be based in Tamworth and likely to fly straight there.

Rugby league officials are confident they will receive federal cabinet and NSW Government authorisation for the team to be able to arrive in Australia from New Zealand.

They are also hopeful the club will be able to train while in their isolated camp in north-east NSW from next week.

"The Warriors will be on the plane," V'landys told AAP on Friday afternoon.

"I clarified all those matters. I'll have it in writing to them once I get all the border security and state government approvals.

"The Warriors just wanted clarity on a few things and now they have got that they are fully supportive."

Warriors players will receive the same pay as the rest of the NRL, with all players to receive 80 per cent of their original 2020 salary.

The Warriors players' families will remain in New Zealand for now, although the league are hopeful border restrictions will ease shortly to allow them to join the players.

with AAP