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Mason's threat angers Origin great
By Dean Ritchie
March 26, 2007
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.
By Dean Ritchie
March 26, 2007
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.
