Origin: Willie willing for Origin strike

[Capital_Shark]

Who ever gave Mason an avenue to vent his stupidity needs shooting. We're in the second round of what promises to be the tightest competition ever, and we can thank the salary cap for that. Without it, Holmes a Courte and Crowe could have taken over Souths, opened the cheque books and had the best players from Australia and New Zealand combining in Souths colours.

He carries on about the younger guys who train just as hard for 'bugger all' but that bugger is 50K. Not a bad earner for a teenager doing what he loves. And now that Union has poached Timana, that teenager has a spot in first grade to shoot for, which will bring a larger pay packet.

Like someone mentioned, no matter even if they double the salary cap, I don't see priority number 1 of clubs being to pay their fringe first graders a small fortune. They'd use it to top up the big name contracts.

As DIEHARD pointed out, he'll be boycotting an ARL fixture in a futile attempt to change the NRL's policies. While I'm sure he probably does have a lot of support from other players, I don't think there are many who would be willing to snub an origin call up to 'stick by Willie.' Hopefully the bloke who forms his column into words for him is in on it, cause I doubt Mason has the nouse to do the signs for his strike.

[Poida]

Who ever gave Mason an avenue to vent his stupidity needs shooting. We're in the second round of what promises to be the tightest competition ever, and we can thank the salary cap for that. Without it, Holmes a Courte and Crowe could have taken over Souths, opened the cheque books and had the best players from Australia and New Zealand combining in Souths colours.

He carries on about the younger guys who train just as hard for 'bugger all' but that bugger is 50K. Not a bad earner for a teenager doing what he loves. And now that Union has poached Timana, that teenager has a spot in first grade to shoot for, which will bring a larger pay packet.

Like someone mentioned, no matter even if they double the salary cap, I don't see priority number 1 of clubs being to pay their fringe first graders a small fortune. They'd use it to top up the big name contracts.

As DIEHARD pointed out, he'll be boycotting an ARL fixture in a futile attempt to change the NRL's policies. While I'm sure he probably does have a lot of support from other players, I don't think there are many who would be willing to snub an origin call up to 'stick by Willie.' Hopefully the bloke who forms his column into words for him is in on it, cause I doubt Mason has the nouse to do the signs for his strike.

What he said

[Capital_Shark]

This idea from Mason surely puts to bed any consideration over him skippering Australia in the ANZAC Test?

[Hoppy2007Dragons]

smarter than you look cs.

But a very good argument, really helped clear up the confusion for me.

[Queenslander]

Great post Capital Shark. You summed it up perfectly. If Mason isn't happy than perhaps he should join union or the NFL or whatever else his named has been attached to.

This threat of "strike action" should be the final nail in the coffin for Mason's chances on being Australian captain. And IMO there were already enough nails in that coffin

[Capital_Shark]

Mate I already half a barrow of dirt on top tbh..

[Steel Dragon]

Excellent. I'll get a shovel and dig him up. Should tick off everyone in Queensland nicely.

Jason

[Steelers]

Remember people, big Willie said that strike would be the most extreme last resort. And this is coming from someone who thinks he is one of the biggest cats on the planet!

[Social Loafer]

Like we didn't need any further evidence the Mason is a complete Dope..

Maybe if enough players Strike a Raider will make Origin? Even then I wouldn't bet on it..

[Capital_Shark]

Like we didn't need any further evidence the Mason is a complete Dope..

Maybe if enough players Strike a Raider will make Origin? Even then I wouldn't bet on it..

haha they'll call it off if they have to resort to a Raider

[Steelers]

Source: www.foxsports.com.au

Mason won't talk to chief executive

CONTROVERSIAL Bulldogs forward Willie Mason says he has no plans to hold talks with Matthew Rodwell despite the player association boss's attempts to contact him.

The Australia Test star dropped a bombshell at the weekend - saying players should consider striking during this year's State of Origin series if the salary cap is not increased. He also called the Rugby League Professionals Association "weak".

Rodwell was yesterday trying to speak to Mason about those comments, but Mason said he wouldn't hold talks.

"I don't have his number," Mason said.

The Bulldogs giant said he had received good feedback from fellow players over his calls for the cap to be significantly raised from its current level of $4 million and for tough tactics if that doesn't happen.

And Mason stepped up his attack last night - calling for the minimum wage for all NRL players to be increased to $120,000 a season.

"I've received plenty of support, yeah," he said.

"People have been good.

"But the club have asked me not to comment on it. I'm going to go on The Footy Show on Thursday and clear it all up a bit."

Mason said the emphasis on his call for industrial action as a last resort had been overplayed.

"It's been sort of taken out of context ... it's just that word 'strike'," he said.

"I'll clear it all up."

Rodwell said he had left messages with Mason in the hope of explaining to him in some detail the contents of the RLPA's collective bargaining agreement with the NRL.

But rather than hit back at Mason, Rodwell said the RLPA had to provide working conditions that the players wanted.

"We've been criticised and called things and we have to cop it sweet," Rodwell said.

"It's like playing footy, you have to respond to criticism with your performance.

"We have to go away and find a document that gives the players what they are happy with. I am confident, in my dealings with the NRL, that there is room to move in negotiations."

But having agreed on a new CBA with the NRL, and submitted it for approval to government departments, Rodwell admitted he had no idea what would happen if the players now voted against it.

"I don't know - we might have to go away and take advice or something like that," he said.

Asked if a higher cap was more likely as a result of Mason's outburst, Rodwell said: "There were a lot of people doing a lot of hard work before Willie said what he did."

Australian Rugby League chief executive Geoff Carr said players had been misinformed about the NRL's "new media deal" with Telstra worth $90 million.

One NRL source said yesterday: "The players think we are hiding some pot of gold. It's not there."

Carr denied Mason's strike threat would be used against the player in his stated ambition to be Australia skipper.

"Not from my point of view," Carr said.

"Willie just seems a little confused about the situation. He only saw the figures on a press release $90 million. Not the ins and outs that took place during negotiations.

"That money has been taken into consideration and budgeted for. Willie has to understand that.

"I think Willie was poorly advised when going to press.

"I like Willie and he is entitled to his open and democratic opinion. But he should have spoken to the RLPA about the negotiations first."

[Steelers]

Source: www.foxsports.com.au

Increase cap, says Lockyer

BRISBANE, Queensland and Australia captain Darren Lockyer has backed Willie Mason's calls to increase the salary cap, but he added that strike action during the State of Origin series to achieve a better deal for all players would be a last resort.

Lockyer was one of several stars to throw his support behind Mason yesterday after the Bulldogs forward said that players were frustrated at not sharing in the spoils of the NRL's new sponsorship deals worth a combined $100 million.

Mason also said he was prepared to lead renegade strike action because he believed the players' union was weak and a tool of the NRL.

The issue has raise various levels of interest, with some clubs and players saying yesterday that it had barely registered while others had discussed it.

Channel Nine, with whom Mason has a deal, reported last night that Lockyer, New South Wales captain and Newcastle hooker Danny Buderus and his Knights teammate Andrew Johns were among Mason's supporters.

Lockyer, who is sidelined with an ankle injury but could return earlier than expected, with the Good Friday match against Sydney Roosters in his sights, is expected to be grilled on the controversial topic today at a representative season launch.

"My stance is that Willie certainly has a point," Lockyer said last night.

"However, I think there are different avenues to take.

"Striking at any time is a pretty extreme measure and, as Willie said, it would be a last resort."

Mason said on Nine last night that the game's elite players had talked about striking in Origin camps for several seasons.

"That was an extreme thing, talking about striking for Origin," Mason said.

"But I'm not the only one who's been saying it.

"There's been talk within camps for the last three or four years. I'm just the guy who's come out and said it."

Mason also stressed the game's elite players would take a stance during Origin to ensure a better deal for players at the lower end of the spectrum.

He said the game generated enough revenue to almost double the minimum wage to $120,000.

"I'm not really worried about my pay packet," Mason said.

"It's the guy who's doing the same amount of work and playing. I think the minimum wage should be $120,000."

Rugby League Professionals Association chief executive Matthew Rodwell is keen to resolve the issue with Mason this week, with players yet to sign off on the game's collective bargaining agreement.

The NRL and the RLPA agreed to the agreement in principle last year although there is provision to go back on elements of the deal if the league found new revenue streams.

[Steelers]

Source: www.foxsports.com.au

Mason's threat angers Origin great

THE player who helped pioneer State of Origin last night slammed Willie Mason's plan for a player strike during this year's interstate series in protest at NRL salary cap restrictions.

And Rugby League Players Association chief executive Matthew Rodwell claimed to be "disappointed" that Mason slammed the game's union as "weak and does nothing for the players".

In a newspaper column, Mason called on the NRL to increase the salary cap to prevent more players switching to rugby union.

"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.

"And to really make a point, I vote we strike during the State of Origin series. 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."

But threatening strike action to hurt Origin angered Tom Raudonikis, NSW's first Origin captain.

"Who does Willie Mason think he is?" Raudonikis said.

"State of Origin is our masterpiece. Guys like Wally Lewis, 'Alfie' Langer and Ricky Stuart helped build Origin to what it is today.

"It seems all the players want these days is more money. It all comes down to greed - they're all big heads. What about the fans, what about the game? What Willie said was disgraceful. Shocking. He should put a sock in it."

But Mason's Blues teammate Matt King said players had discussed a strike since last season.

"We've spoken about strike action for a while so for Mason to come out and say something, it might just wake the NRL up," King said, admitting there'd be a public backlash.

"It would hurt (the game). I would imagine there'd be a lot of fan hate towards players but something needs to be done."

Storm prop Brett White said: "If Willie wants to strike let him. I'll play (Origin). What happened to playing for fun or the love of the game?"

Mason also criticised the RLPA for taking money from the NRL.

"The (RLPA), our players union, is weak and does nothing for the players," Mason wrote.

Rodwell said Mason should work with him to form a strong union.

"I'd by lying if I said I wasn't disappointed with his attack on the Players Association," Rodwell said.

I'd be happy to sit down with Willie. I rang him this morning and left a message on his mobile. One of my goals to make the PA stronger is that the players buy into it.

"We have done a lot of hard work and good work to encourage the players to support the PA. (Mason's comments) were unnecessary.

"We welcome players voicing their opinions but it would be nice to see the RLPA have the support of the players."

"The RLPA does a lot of behind-the-scenes stuff that may not be visible," Rodwell added.

The NRL signed off last year on a deal with the RLPA, allowing for a salary cap increase to $4million.