NRL: Warriors to join protest as NRL pay war spills onto park

The Warriors will join players from all NRL clubs in a unified show of support for the Rugby League Players' Association, in Friday night'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 yesterday fronted the media wearing RLPA branded caps but gave no indication of their intentions to take part in the planned protest.

"It's something that the team is doing to get behind the RLPA," said Warriors captain Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.

"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."

NSW five-eighth James Maloney and captain Boyd Cordner also donned the RLPA caps. Photo / Getty Images.

Members of both the New South Wales and Queensland State of Origin teams recently wore the caps during the build-up to the second interstate clash 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 Sydney Morning Herald.

"From their perspective, it's time to stand up for what's fair and demonstrate how committed they are to securing this partnership with the NRL and clubs under the next CBA.

"The players don't want to take this action. They feel they've made significant concessions and that there is a deal to be done. While they prefer not to be putting these steps in place, they feel it's necessary. Sometimes you need to stand up and fight for what's fair."

Players are also tipped to begin a social media campaign today to highlight the group's non-financial demands, including improved educational opportunities and better medical and health conditions.

Warriors centre Blake Ayshford believes the perception that the players are being selfish and merely chasing more money was off the mark and suggested it would be future generations of players that will reap the rewards.

"They might be labelling us as selfish in the media but that's not the case," said Ayshford. "They're just trying to fight for better conditions for the players.

"A lot of the players that are fighting for it aren't going to reap the benefits, it's going to be the players that come into the game now.

"And it's not so much the money, there's other things that not many people know about, with medical benefits and things like that.

"Hopefully they come to an agreement soon. I know the RLPA is fighting for us and hopefully the NRL comes on board and no action has to come of it."