Rugby League Players Association

The RLPA’s Shaun Lane and Tinirau Arona were proud to present James Tedesco (2025 RLPA Players’ Champion and Fullback of the Year) and Mark Nawaqanitawase (2025 Players’ Rookie of the Year and Winger of the Year) with their official recognition in the 2025 RLPA Players’ Dream Team from the NRL.

One had a breakout year. The other claimed his fourth Players’ Champion. The Roosters are built different 🐓😮‍💨

Comments from Clint Newton on today’s disappointing outcome.

The RLPA is also pleased to announce Euan Aitken has joined the RLPA Board as a Player Director.

Acting as a Delegate at all four of his NRL clubs, Euan joined the Men’s Player Advisory Group in 2024.

𝙍𝙀𝘼𝘿: 𝙏𝙬𝙤 𝙥𝙡𝙖𝙮𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙟𝙤𝙞𝙣 𝙍𝙇𝙋𝘼 𝘽𝙤𝙖𝙧𝙙 𝙖𝙩 𝘼𝙂𝙈 📲 rebrand.ly/aitken-cogge...

The RLPA is pleased to announce Jack Cogger has joined the RLPA Board as a Player Director.

Jack has been a club Delegate at the Panthers, Knights and Bulldogs and joined the Men’s Player Advisory Group in 2024.

𝙍𝙀𝘼𝘿: 𝙏𝙬𝙤 𝙥𝙡𝙖𝙮𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙟𝙤𝙞𝙣 𝙍𝙇𝙋𝘼 𝘽𝙤𝙖𝙧𝙙 𝙖𝙩 𝘼𝙂𝙈 📲 rebrand.ly/aitken-cogge...

The Storm strike again ⚡️

The RLPA’s Mitch Rein and Tinirau Arona were proud to present Xavier Coates (Winger of the Year), Harry Grant (Hooker of the Year) and Eli Katoa (Second Rower of the Year) with their official recognition in the 2025 RLPA Players’ Dream Team from the NRL.

The Green Machine’s best 💪

The RLPA’s Shaun Lane was proud to present Ethan Strange (Five-Eighth of the Year), Joseph Tapine (Prop of the Year) and Hudson Young (Second Rower of the Year) with their official recognition in the 2025 RLPA Players’ Dream Team from the NRL.

An incredible day of pride, passion, and culture in Kirikiriroa (Hamilton) for the 2026 All Stars.

Another powerful week celebrating Māori, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players 🖤❤️🤍 🖤💛❤️ 💚💙🖤🤍

For some players, this isn’t just another game, it’s one of the most important weeks of the year 🖤❤️🤍 🖤💛❤️ 💚💙🖤🤍

677 days between games.

Along the way, uncertainty about what the future had in store.

Thomas Flegler’s return is what resilience and hard work looks like 💪

A great forward who is also passionate about the game and its players, it was special to see Flegs back out there doing what he loves 🙌

Aroha ki te whenua, ki te tangata 🔴⚪️⚫️

We join our whānau in Aotearoa and around the world in acknowledging Waitangi Day.

Nathan Lyon, one of Australia’s greatest Test cricketers, pshared his take on leadership, high performance, and his love for rugby league, following a Q&A with Hannah Darlington, a WBBL player and Australian Cricketers’ Association Delegate, at this year’s Leaders In League.

“I think there’s so much learning involved in trying to be a better player, but also a better person as well.”

After sharing his story and lessons on leadership to the players at RLPA’s Leaders In League, Kieran Read, former All Black captain, reflected on the day and some rugby league players who have inspired him over the years.

“You (have) got that group in there, (who are) pretty adaptable and open to learning, and got heaps of questions… pretty awesome kind of stage to set and get them to grow from.”

𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙁𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙚 𝙆𝙖𝙪𝙛𝙪𝙨𝙞'𝙨 𝙦𝙪𝙤𝙩𝙚𝙨 𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 📲 rebrand.ly/kaufusi-rule...

Player feedback to the NRL was:

- Opposition to kick off changes
- Split feedback on restarting the tackle count
- Supportive of accidental breach in-goal
- Opposition to the six man bench, and instead supportive of relaxing restrictions on the 18th player.
- Supportive of changes to trainer access

Clint Newton, RLPA CEO, reacts to today’s NRL rule changes and how the consultation process on rule changes can be resolved in the future.

Players have always been able to adapt and evolve based on rule changes, but the process and timeline of implementing them matters.

What a year it was for Erin 👌

Player Operations Managers Tinirau Arona and Mitch Rein were proud to present Erin Clark with his official recognition as the Lock of the Year in the 2025 RLPA Players’ Dream Team, as part of a recent Warriors club visit.

Kieran unpacked the importance of aligning purpose with performance, preparing with intent, performing under pressure, and reflecting to grow as individuals and teams.

Thank you again Kieran👏

It was a privilege to hear from Kieran Read at Leaders In League.

The former All Black captain, and one of rugby’s most respected leaders, shared powerful insights on high performance, preparation and what it truly takes to build strong team culture of excellence.

It was great to hear from Nathan Lyon, one of the greats of modern cricket, who shared some honest insights on leadership, life as a professional athlete and the responsibility that comes with being a role model👏

Thank you, as well, to ACA Delegate Hannah Darlington for hosting 🎤

The day began with a Welcome to Country from Raymond Weatherall, the cultural representative from the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council, followed by a Māori karakia from NRLW players Harata Butler and Mya Hill-Moana.

Our Leaders in League player conference officially got underway this morning, setting the tone for a big year ahead 🙌

The Fossils aren’t extinct! 🦖

Avoiding relegation, the Fossils now go up against the Gold Coast Giants in the Shield Semi Final 👏

In the fight until the end, going down to FTA led by the RLPA’s won Tinirau Arona.

All to play for in Game 3.

Up the Fossils 🦖🦴

Bittersweet start to the Nines Premier League, going down 8-0.

Well done Marlins, the boys knew they were in a contest.

Time to reload for Game 2 🫡

Captain’s Run take ✌️

Fresh and ready to take on the Nines Premier League 💪