PRLMO statement: one referee agreed on trial basis for 2020

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The Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) and the Professional Rugby League Match Officials (PRLMO) today reached an agreement to resolve its dispute ahead of the resumption of the 2020 NRL competition on May 28.

After a meeting between Australian Rugby League Commission Chairman Peter V'landys AM and the referee's union today, it was agreed:

• One referee will officiate NRL Competition Matches for the remainder of the 2020 season on a trial basis;
• A minimum of 22 full-time referee positions will be retained in 2020 and 2021;
• A review of the new system will be conducted when the season ends by a working group consisting of representatives of  players, coaches, referees and NRL management;
• Its recommendations will be presented to the ARLC Commission for their good faith consideration in determining the future officiating model for the NRL Competition.

Silvio Del Vecchio, Chairman of the PRLMO said: 

" We are pleased that we have a solution that gets us all to the end of this season. We always said that the game will go ahead next week, and it will, that's what we always wanted. 

"It is a constructive sign that the NRL have agreed to do this on a trial basis until the end of the year. Our case in the Fair Work Commission will be resumed, if necessary, and can be revisited, following the ARLC Commission's response to the Working Group's deliberations at the end of the season. "