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http://www.leaguehq.com.au/news/wil...-for-our-rights/2007/03/24/1174597948259.html
Fairfax Publications: 25/03/07 - Willie Mason
"IT'S TIME for the players to make a stand about the salary cap, and if that means going on strike, well, I'm in. And to really make a point, I vote we strike during the State of Origin series.
I don't say that lightly. My frustration is shared by other players. We're filthy that some of our best players - Timana Tahu is the latest - are being lost to rugby union while our sport's up-and-comers are being paid bugger all even though they train as hard as professionals.
This isn't about player greed. I know I'm well paid but I am prepared to make a stand that may benefit a future generation of players.
What really gets to me is the fact rugby league has rarely been in a stronger position. The NRL has just signed a $90 million sponsorship deal with Telstra and it makes millions from the State of Origin and electronic media rights - and yet the salary cap has barely moved over the past few years.
It is about time we saw exactly how much the game earns and we received a bigger slice of the action.
The Rugby League Professionals Association, our players union, is weak and does nothing for the players. Yet, how can we expect the RLPA to represent our best interests when it is partially funded by the NRL? That money has compromised our union . . . how can we expect 100 per cent support?
I saw how strong the NFL players' union was when I went to New York for a trial last year. It put the players first, down to the number of hours they could train each day. The AFL players association also has a good say in the running of their game.
The RLPA's relationship with the NRL leaves us with one weapon - to strike. A players' strike during origin would send a clear and powerful message. It would show we can't be walked over. If it takes a giant stand for the greater good, for the next generation, I'm prepared to do it and I know the players would support me.
Guys like Darren Lockyer and Andrew Johns are near the end of their careers. They have tried for years to do something about this and have got nowhere. I want results.
There needs to be more money for up-and-coming players because the minimum wage is too low. It's wrong that there are blokes who train as hard as I do at the Bulldogs but they get paid stuff all for their hard work. While I acknowledge the effort is worth it for the opportunities a great club like Canterbury can provide, the pay is unfair if you're a fringe first-grader or you play premier league.
We must stop rugby union from poaching our best talent. How can the NRL consider it good business to allow the best players to go to rugby? Rugby union was a game no one gave a toss about until Lote Tuqiri, Wendell Sailor and Mat Rogers were allowed to defect.
Now rugby has recruited Timana Tahu, one of the best athletes I've seen, at his absolute peak and it hasn't done a thing to develop him.
Rugby has hit the panic button because it doesn't have anyone coming through the ranks.
A strike wouldn't be good for the game and I stress it's a last resort. But to do it when it would hurt the game most - during origin - is the only way the players can be heard.
It would prove that without us there is no game."
Fairfax Publications: 25/03/07 - Willie Mason
"IT'S TIME for the players to make a stand about the salary cap, and if that means going on strike, well, I'm in. And to really make a point, I vote we strike during the State of Origin series.
I don't say that lightly. My frustration is shared by other players. We're filthy that some of our best players - Timana Tahu is the latest - are being lost to rugby union while our sport's up-and-comers are being paid bugger all even though they train as hard as professionals.
This isn't about player greed. I know I'm well paid but I am prepared to make a stand that may benefit a future generation of players.
What really gets to me is the fact rugby league has rarely been in a stronger position. The NRL has just signed a $90 million sponsorship deal with Telstra and it makes millions from the State of Origin and electronic media rights - and yet the salary cap has barely moved over the past few years.
It is about time we saw exactly how much the game earns and we received a bigger slice of the action.
The Rugby League Professionals Association, our players union, is weak and does nothing for the players. Yet, how can we expect the RLPA to represent our best interests when it is partially funded by the NRL? That money has compromised our union . . . how can we expect 100 per cent support?
I saw how strong the NFL players' union was when I went to New York for a trial last year. It put the players first, down to the number of hours they could train each day. The AFL players association also has a good say in the running of their game.
The RLPA's relationship with the NRL leaves us with one weapon - to strike. A players' strike during origin would send a clear and powerful message. It would show we can't be walked over. If it takes a giant stand for the greater good, for the next generation, I'm prepared to do it and I know the players would support me.
Guys like Darren Lockyer and Andrew Johns are near the end of their careers. They have tried for years to do something about this and have got nowhere. I want results.
There needs to be more money for up-and-coming players because the minimum wage is too low. It's wrong that there are blokes who train as hard as I do at the Bulldogs but they get paid stuff all for their hard work. While I acknowledge the effort is worth it for the opportunities a great club like Canterbury can provide, the pay is unfair if you're a fringe first-grader or you play premier league.
We must stop rugby union from poaching our best talent. How can the NRL consider it good business to allow the best players to go to rugby? Rugby union was a game no one gave a toss about until Lote Tuqiri, Wendell Sailor and Mat Rogers were allowed to defect.
Now rugby has recruited Timana Tahu, one of the best athletes I've seen, at his absolute peak and it hasn't done a thing to develop him.
Rugby has hit the panic button because it doesn't have anyone coming through the ranks.
A strike wouldn't be good for the game and I stress it's a last resort. But to do it when it would hurt the game most - during origin - is the only way the players can be heard.
It would prove that without us there is no game."
