The NRL has been forced into an embarrassing backflip over plans to allow its integrity unit to confiscate mobile phones after outraged players complained about the governing body's new "police" powers.
Manly stars Brett Stewart and Willie Mason led the outcry after the governing body proposed sweeping new powers in future investigations of players and clubs. Under proposed new rule 48, the integrity unit was given the power to "take possession of or copy computer data (including that stored on smart phones)". The changes were revealed after the NRL released its sanctions over its botched investigation into South Sydney's altitude training camp in Arizona.
After a stinging rebuke from its constituents, including the Rugby League Players' Association, the NRL clarified its position on Tuesday afternoon via a media release, stating it did not intend to confiscate mobile phones as part of its investigations.
Before the about-face, Mason said the RLPA needed to step in to protect their privacy rights.
"That's a job for the RLPA. If they have any sort of pull - or if they think they have - that will get pulled, that won't happen," Mason said during a visit to children's retreat Stewart House.
"We need a union like that to stand up for us. If the NRL are serious about this, this needs to be an RLPA decision because the whole NRL fraternity needs to be notified about that and we need to talk about it.
"Of course it is [an invasion of privacy], they're taking your phone. And not just taking your phone to play Snake, they're going to look through everything.
"As a playing group, we need to stand up for this if they are fair dinkum about it ... I'll do everything in my power to help the players galvanise around each other to stop it."
Stewart added: "I'd back Willie up there. Do they think they are the police these day or what? They get more than enough information as it is."
RLPA boss David Garnsey said plans to seize phones were "trampling on players' rights" before he was informed that the NRL had restated its position just before his own media conference.
"At no time during [our discussions] were there any terms or provisions mentioned in relation to the confiscation of players' phones or computers," Garnsey said.
"Those are provisions we would oppose on a number of bases."
While they may now not physically lose their handsets, the NRL can ask players to provide anything stored on them. Should players refuse, they can be hit with sanctions, most likely a fine. However that could be more palatable than allowing officials to scrutinise some of their private communications, whether they be self-incriminating or otherwise.
Under the revised rules, clubs and players will have to "fully cooperate" with any investigations, which could require them to provide phone documents. They will also be bound by the code to report any matter which it "reasonably suspects" may constitute a breach of the NRL rules, such as harassing or vilifying people, or disseminating sexually explicit or obscene images.
