Willie willing for Origin strike
March 25, 2007
BULLDOGS star Willie Mason says he is prepared to lead a player strike during the State of Origin series in protest over the NRL salary cap.
The Australia forward has called for the salary cap to be raised, saying players are becoming frustrated that the likes of Parramatta back Timana
Tahu are being lost to rugby union and that young up and comers are getting paid "bugger all" to train as hard as professionals.
Mason has also launched a stinging attack on the Rugby League Professionals Association, saying the "players union is weak and does nothing for the players".
"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," Mason wrote in his Sunday column in Fairfax newspapers.
"To really make a point, I vote we strike during the State of Origin series.
"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 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.
"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."
On the RLPA, Mason wrote in The Sun-Herald: "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.
"The RLPA's relationship with the NRL leaves us with one weapon - to strike."
AAP