Players' union steps up bid to change NRL's no-fault stand down rule

If the arbitrator finds the NRL was in breach, the RLPA will push for an alteration to the rule to include guidelines around when the CEO can stand down a player.

The dispute and how it is resolved is expected to be a significant test for the future relationship of the players’ union and the NRL.

The RLPA has long been opposed to the rule that was introduced to combat bad off-season behaviour.

“We’ve always maintained rules, regulations and policies aren’t going to shift player behaviour,” RLPA chief executive Ian Prendergast said in November.

The Australian Rugby League Commission announced the rule last February, with Dragons forward Jack de Belin the first player stood down under the policy. De Belin has pleaded not guilty to serious sexual assault charges and his trial will begin in Wollongong on February 3.

Greenberg made the call to stand down Manly centre Dylan Walker last February over domestic violence allegations of which he was subsequently acquitted, as well as Panthers player Tyrone May, who in November pleaded guilty to recording four sex tapes without the consent of the women in them.

Both of those alleged offences carry maximum penalties of less than 11 years.

The NRL said Greenberg made decisions based on the evidence available to the league at the time and was in no rush to make a call on Sivo and Reynolds ahead of the season. The RLPA hopes the dispute will be resolved by the start of the season.

Sivo will have a clearer understanding of whether he will be allowed to play out the 2020 NRL season when his indecent assault case is heard in a Fijian court on February 17.

The 26-year-old was charged with indecent annoyance after allegedly touching the skirt of a waitress on Boxing Day. The charge was later upgraded to indecent assault.

Parramatta Eels chief executive Jim Sarantinos said the club was still waiting on “clarity” around Sivo’s hearing dates and was working closely with the NRL integrity unit to see if Greenberg would stand him down.

“Our club’s priority is to be as transparent as possible and to answer whatever questions the NRL has so their decision is informed,” Sarantinos said.

Reynolds will not front court again until round 19 of the season.