Players to go green in on-field protesting

Tale of the tape: Warriors join NRL pay war

The Warriors will join players from most NRL clubs in a unified show of support for the Rugby League Players’ Association in tonight’s clash against Cronulla at Mt Smart Stadium.

Reports out of Australia indicate the protracted pay war between the RLPA and the game’s governing body is set to enter the playing field for the first time across all of this week’s round 21 matches.

The RLPA reportedly sent boxes of dark green tape to all clubs for players to wear on their wrists, boots, arms or elsewhere, as a show of support for their ongoing negotiations with the NRL over the new collective bargaining agreement.

Warriors players on Wednesday fronted the media wearing RLPA branded caps and it’s understood they will wear the green tape as part of the protest.

“It’s something the team is doing to get behind the RLPA,” Warriors captain Roger Tuivasa-Sheck said of the capwearing.

“They’re not getting a fair share at the moment, so we’re just backing them to [establish] a general partnership with the NRL.

“Our RLPA team is really pushing to have a fair partnership with them.

“At the moment, they’re not working with us but we’re still trying our best and we’re supporting the RLPA all the way.”

Members of the New South Wales and Queensland State of Origin teams recently wore the caps while speaking with journalists to highlight both their concerns and their support for the RLPA.

The RLPA is seeking a 29 per cent share of the game’s revenue, a demand which is proving the major stumbling block in their talks with the NRL.

RLPA chief executive Ian Prendergast said the playing group believe the protest is necessary to make clear their dissatisfaction and show their commitment to the cause.

“It’s no secret players have become increasingly frustrated with the delays that are being caused throughout this process and the way they have been positioned publicly by the NRL,” Prendergast told the