Rugby league: Players to cover NRL logo during games as pay dispute rages on

From Thursday, men and women players will cover the NRL logo on their jerseys, as the strike between the Rugby League Players Association (RLPA) and the governing body continues.

With talks between the NRL and RLPA stalled, players are boycotting media commitments before and after games, until a resolution is reached.

The two parties are locked in a two-year battle over a new collective bargaining agreement, ultimately deciding how much players can be paid.

With no resolution in sight, this weekend's round of fixtures will see players in both the NRL and NRLW cover the competition logo on jerseys.

The NRL has refused an independent mediator to facilitate discussions with the RLPA, with all negotiations seemingly at an impasse.

Players are also considering a boycott of the NRL's Dally M Awards - recognising the best of the season.

RLPA delegate and Brisbane Broncos forward Kurt Capewell has explained the players' latest move and also says further steps could be taken. 

"Nothing is off the table," he told Sydney Morning Herald. "Hopefully, it doesn't come to that, because it would be directly impacting the fans by delaying the kickoff, but if the NRL don't come back to the table, who knows where it will end up.

"We just want someone from outside the game to come in and nut it out."

Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V'landys has told SMH the NRL would not look at independent mediation, which would be "extremely counterproductive and inefficient", given they would have "no context" of the negotiations.

Round 22 of the NRL begins on Thursday night when the Broncos host Sydney Roosters.