SHOW US THE MONEY
Warriors want more clarity from NRL on what they will be paid or at least know minimum baseline
The Warriors are waiting on vital information about player remuneration before they confirm taking part in a resumption of the 2020 NRL premiership, based in New South Wales. Behind the scenes the club is preparing to leave for Sydney on Sunday and has been assessing the limited flight options to travel from Auckland this weekend after the NRL's confirmation on Tuesday night that matches would begin again in four weeks.
But it's believed the NRL has yet to communicate to the Warriors — or any of the other 15 clubs — an idea about the salary levels for players in the compressed competition which is due to start on May 28.
Although that is not an immediate issue for most of the other teams, especially the nine Sydney-based clubs, it is a showstopper for the Warriors.
In fewer than five days the squad is expected to hop on a plane and wave goodbye to their families and friends for a stay across the Tasman that could extend to five or six months.
It's a staggering commitment. The Herald understands the players have universally told management at the club, via the senior leadership group, that it is one they are prepared to make.
However, it is impossible to take the final decision without knowing how much they will be paid.
Player salaries have been frozen since the NRL was suspended, with an understanding that they would receive a revised amount if and when the season was re-started, under the agreement struck between the Rugby League Players’ Association and the governing body about a new salary cap, following the Covid-19 disruptions.
The confirmation on Tuesday night that a 20-round competition will go ahead was positive but short on crucial details.
The Warriors expect to get more details from the NRL soon before getting final approval from the playing group.
There's no suggestion the players won't go but making such a decision in an information vacuum isn't feasible.
Although it might be difficult to confirm exact figures, the players need to know the minimum baseline.
The Warriors are also waiting on the written confirmation of the Australian federal government exemption for a border clearance for the players, coaches and football staff, which they will need to enter New South Wales before heading inland to the proposed quarantine base in Tamworth.
Once the players are settled into their training base, the club, in conjunction with the NRL will begin the next step; planning the logistics of relocation some of the wives, partners and children, and the visits of other whanau members.
Family members will also need border exemptions but the players agreed it was pragmatic to focus on the team approval first, before applying on behalf of family, due to the volume of individuals and the complexity of the process.
Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V'landys confirmed the revised competition on Tuesday night after extensive negotiations with broadcasters Channel Nine and Foxtel over the previous weekend.
As well as an 18-week club season (two rounds have already been played), the State of Origin series is expected to be played over three weeks in November.
Training will resume for all teams on May 4 and strict biosecurity measures will be introduced for players, club officials and staff.
The NRL said these protocols will be stricter than the Australian public health guidelines and players will face sanctions if they breach the rules.