Rugby League Players Association (RLPA) CEO Clint Newton has issued a warning to Parramatta Eels forward Isaiah Papali’i saying that he and his management must honour the contract he signed with the Wests Tigers.
Papali’i signed a three-year contract with the Tigers worth an estimated $1.9 million but has since expressed a desire to renege on his deal and remain at the Eels.
Whilst Newton understands that players have personal reasons and other circumstances which can result in contracts being voided, it doesn’t apply to Papali’i in this instance.
“What we have told him and his management team is that essentially, it is their responsibility to honour the contract and not terminate,” Newton said on SEN 1170 Mornings.
“There have been many situations over the last several years where there is mutual agreement to terminate.
“The Tigers haven’t looked for that.
“Papali’i and his team are well within their rights, like any other workplace, to request a termination.
“That’s not to say it should be granted or that it will be.
“As it stands, this is really a discussion between the two parties.
“Our expectation of players is that they honour their contracts.”
Tigers chairman Lee Hagipantelis told SEN 1170 that he and the club were confident that Papali’i would honour his contract.
Newton added that neither he nor anyone at the RLPA had made any steps in intervening and that the association would wait to see how it unfolds.
“Our involvement has just been to say that they have a responsibility to honour their contract,” he said.
“They are well within their rights to request a termination just like every other employee in this country.
“There is no expectation that a request would be accepted.
“If that doesn’t change, then you turn up to training and get on with it.”
Papali’i is expected to arrive at Tigers headquarters on November 1 to begin preparing for the 2023 season.