NRL set to crackdown on player NFL trials

Kiwis international and Cowboys back-rower Jason Taumalolo will participate in an official NFL trial in Los Angeles next week. Photo / Photosport.

NRL players trialling for NFL franchises might quickly become a thing of the past.

Club bosses are keen to put a clause in the standard NRL player contract that prevents such actions and NRL CEO Todd Greenberg has backed them after the CEOs conference on Wednesday.

"The clubs have made it clear that they don't want their players going to another code, including NFL, and risking serious injury," Greenberg told News Corp Australia.

"That is a view the NRL shares, we don't support players going off to play with or promote other codes.

"They are contracted to play with the NRL and we do not believe they should try their hand at another code and expect to come back to rugby league if it doesn't work out."

Any such clause would fall in line with ones in the current standard contract that prevents similar liaisons with rugby union or AFL clubs.

"We already have a clause in place prohibiting players going to play rugby union and AFL mid-contract and that will be extended to include NFL," Greenberg said.

"It is great to see NFL clubs recognising what great athletes are produced in the NRL.

"But at the end of the day, they are paid to play rugby league so we cannot let them risk injury and promote another code while they are registered with the NRL."

The proposed NRL crackdown comes in the wake of North Queensland powerhouse Jason Taumalolo and Cronulla flyer Valentine Holmes recently trialling for NFL recruiters in Los Angeles.

- AAP