The NRL has told Parramatta it is a waste of time the two parties engaging over their salary cap blowout while five officials take action in the NSW Supreme Court, confirming the Eels face not playing for competition points even if they are cap compliant.
It is understood members of the Eels hierarchy were due to meet on Thursday with NRL salary cap auditor Jamie L'Oste Brown to thrash out how they might cut $570,000 from their top-25 roster in time for Friday week's match against South Sydney at Pirtek Stadium.
The meeting was called off on Wednesday after the NRL told Parramatta there was no point meeting until the five officials to be deregistered – chairman Steve Sharp, directors Tom Issa and Peter Serrao, chief executive John Boulous and football operations manager Daniel Anderson – stood aside.
The message from the NRL was unequivocal: it didn't matter if Parramatta could get back under the cap in the next eight days, they would still be playing for nothing against the Rabbitohs if Sharp, Issa, Serrao, Boulous and Anderson press on in court.
The five were granted an injunction that let them continue in their roles until the matter returned to court on Friday but, with the NRL having not yet received a statement of claim from the plaintiffs – due at headquarters on Thursday – the dispute could drag on beyond this week.
If it does, it threatens the Eels' capacity to play for points, no matter what their adjusted salary cap position. A NRL spokesman reiterated the Eels would not be eligible to accrue any points until the club officials accepted the decision to rescind their registrations.
A Parramatta spokesman wouldn't comment on the cancelled meeting, saying only that having the team playing for points was the top priority. Sources said they were with their legal team on Wednesday night.
While discussions between the NRL and Parramatta were at a standstill, League Central had by Wednesday night also not received any paperwork on Anthony Watmough, who the Eels hoped could be ruled by the code's chief medical officer, Paul Bloomfield, as having a career-ending injury.
Watmough's subsequent retirement would be central to the Eels' bid to get back under the cap quickly, although they might have to lose other players.
Earlier, Parramatta admitted it was over the cap and was working to address the situation. If they can't find a solution in time, the intra-city blockbuster against Souths will be futile.
"The Parramatta Eels are working as a priority to ensure the club is salary cap compliant in time for next week's Round 10 game against the South Sydney Rabbitohs," the club said in a statement said.
"The process is being led by former NRL salary cap auditor and club consultant, Ian Schubert, in accordance with NRL requirements.
"The club recognises that being salary cap compliant and able to accrue competition points is essential for the Parramatta Eels playing group, members and supporters, and the game of rugby league."
