The NRL has made a big decision that could change contract negotiations dramatically.
Watch Australia’s Tour of South Africa Live & Exclusive on Fox Cricket, available on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.
WHAT’S GAMBLING REALLY COSTING YOU? Set a deposit limit. For Free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.
The governing body will allow players and clubs to contest the market value given to the game’s biggest stars following the Hudson Young affair.
The NSW forward was pursued by the PNG Chiefs in their bid to bulk up their pack ahead of their inaugural season in 2028.
He toured the club facilities in Port Moresby and the club, who give tax-free contracts, wanted to offer him a $900,000 a year deal.
But the deal couldn’t come to fruition because Young’s current club, the Canberra Raiders, offered the 28-year-old $1.1 million a season.
It meant the Chiefs would have had to offer Young the same, which they weren’t prepared to do.
It also meant Young would lose money if he stayed at the Raiders given the PNG deal was tax-free.
Mitch Moses to miss WC with shin injury | 00:24
ULTIMATE GUIDE: Everything you need to know ahead of the 2026 Rugby League World Cup
FIXTURES: Full 2026 Rugby League World Cup schedule… and how it works
The salary cap auditor then revalued Young at $1 million, but the Chiefs still wouldn’t budge on their $900,000 evaluation.
The Sydney Morning Herald reported on Sunday morning that the NRL will now accept submissions on behalf of any player who wants to challenge their market value.
The game’s boss Peter V’landys explained the change in policy.
“The salary cap applies to everybody and requires the market value of a player,” V’landys said.
“In saying that, we’ve discussed it with the RLPA and we both agree there can be exceptional circumstances. We will always look at exceptional circumstances.”
It’s a delicate situation.
The NRL don’t want the Chiefs to be signing players for ‘unders’, which they easily can given they’re offering tax-free contracts.
It would spark a wave of anger among the other clubs who are already upset about the advantages the newest franchise has been given.
V’landys said the salary cap auditor will always examine a player’s individual circumstances when valuing them.
“Let’s say a player wanted to be with his family or there are other specific reasons. We just don’t want the salary cap rorted. However, we know that at times there are exceptional circumstances, so we take those exceptional circumstances into account,” he said.
“We won’t have a situation where people manipulate the salary cap. The unfortunate thing is with the tax-free status of PNG, we have to be extra cautious with the market value of the players there.”
Stirring Sipi Tau inspires Tonga | 01:24
Just because the Raiders offer Young $1.1 million a season doesn’t mean other clubs need to.
RLPA chief executive Cling Newton knows too well how the salary cap can prevent players from joining the club they want to.
He was keen to head back to the Knights under coach Wayne Bennett who offered him a much lower deal than his club, the Panthers, but the NRL weren’t keen on it.
“I certainly believe that if PNG want to pay him $900,000, that shouldn’t be stopped,” Newton said of Young.
“I understand if something doesn’t smell right from an integrity perspective, but that’s not the case here.
“I said to Peter, ‘I don’t want us to go down the legal path here, but my greatest concern is clubs are trying to put the genie back in the bottle’. Everyone has been very aware of the tax-free money and no one batted an eyelid.
“Now it seems as though because PNG are doing well from a recruitment perspective, these things are being put up as roadblocks.”
The ball is now in Young and his management’s court to make a submission to the NRL regarding his value.
“The last person we want to affect is Hudson, I personally have a lot of time for him. But we have to keep the salary cap objective,” V’landys said.
“We have discussed it with the RLPA, and we both agree that if there are exceptional circumstances, they will be front and centre.”