http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/rugb...20-gy076k.html

A mass meeting of NRL players on Monday may vote to boycott this year's World Cup as the RLPA increases pressure, despite the NRL's 16 clubs unanimously agreeing last week to grant them an effective 52 per cent pay increase.

A proposal to ask NRL players, who will fill key positions in World Cup teams over the five-week tournament beginning late October, to withdraw their services was tabled at an executive meeting of the RLPA on Sunday and will be raised at the mass meeting of 300 players in Sydney.

NRL clubs, however, claim such a player boycott would be in breach of their contractual obligations to promote the code.

They point out that, unlike the Australian Cricketers' Association, whose players were out of contract when they cancelled one tour and threatened to boycott another, 87 per cent of NRL players are already signed to contracts from November 1.

All World Cup profits are paid to a central international fund, providing opportunities to grow the game and further opportunities for players.

The RLPA rejects the argument NRL players are contractually obligated, claiming they would not be prohibited from ruling themselves unavailable for selection for Australia, New Zealand, England or another competing country.

It would be a major sacrifice for Kangaroos and Kiwis players, considering they receive $20,000 per Test. RLPA president, Cameron Smith, who is also the Australian captain, has already passed the 350 game mark. He is contracted to the Storm for next year and could reach the once unimagined target of 400 games if he plays in the World Cup and next year's representative games.

In the already tense CBA negotiations, NRL clubs have agreed to a $9.4 million salary cap for next season, which includes a $100,000 payment per club to the RLPA.

Furthermore, clubs have agreed to a $15 million hardship fund to be administered by the RLPA. It will receive $3 million a year over the five-year broadcasting contract and apply to the top 30 players whose careers have been ended by injury.

The RLPA will also be joint administrators of the RL Agents Accreditation Scheme and have an involvement in the players' retirement fund.

The NRL proposes to have its own $1.5 million a year marketing fund for elite players to promote the game. RL Central is keen to grow its non-broadcasting business and believes the hire of popular players, such as Cowboys co-captain Johnathan Thurston, can achieve this.

At issue is the claim the RLPA seeks to set itself up as a parallel administration to the NRL.

Included in the $9.4 million salary cap agreed by clubs is a $400,000 club integrity fund where amounts are deducted for behavioural breaches.

RL Central argues the single biggest challenge facing the code is the damage done to its reputation and sponsorship opportunities by players behaving badly and the consequent publicity.

The RLPA would argue that a $400,000 maximum hit on a cap of $1.6 million, a possible 25 per cent reduction in players' incomes, is too savage.

They would further argue that publicity of some "atrocities" is exaggerated and panics administrators into draconian over-reaction and the RLPA would therefore insist on a role in determining sanctions.

The NRL's demand to access players' personal bank accounts and prohibit them from consorting with known criminals is also an issue.

While RLPA sources say a World Cup boycott is an unlikely outcome, chief executive Ian Prendergast has stressed the areas where his organisation is at odds with the NRL are not exclusively financial.

He said: "The involvement of players throughout this process has been really impressive.

"Monday night's meeting is another opportunity for them to demonstrate their unity and how committed they are to securing fair outcomes across the various areas we have been discussing with the NRL.

"The negotiation has always been about so much more than the finances to players. They are demanding to be respected and engaged in the future of the sport."

An NRL spokesman said there is a strong offer on the table and the NRL is hopeful it will be accepted by the players soon.

Prendergast is a former AFLPA deputy chief executive. His pointed sabre has clearly rattled some. One club boss, in questioning his motives, asked: "Has Ian been sounded out for the Collingwood job and the vacant executive roles at AFL headquarters?"