Tensions thaw between NRL and RLPA, boycotts end

Tensions between the NRL and Rugby League Players Association have thawed after the union ended a player boycott of NRL promotions.

Days after the RLPA sent an email to players suggesting more industrial action could be on the cards, union bosses met with ARL Commission chairman Peter V'landys on Friday.

AAP has been told significant progress was made on a number of key topics and the game is inching closer to peace.

When a deal is finally reached, it will end long-running negotiations on a collective bargaining agreement that is now five months overdue.

The latest development means players are unlikely to decide to take industrial action in round five, which could have included covering NRL logos and delaying the kick off to games.

Instead, the RLPA has ended a boycott of promotions. 

Players have boycotted a number of NRL events in the past two months, including the launch of multicultural round earlier this month.

Journalists from NRL.com are now welcome to speak to players after matches for the first time in more than two months.

It comes after a reporter from the league's website was removed from a press conference two weeks ago by club staff, who claimed a player did not want them in there.

The protracted talks between the NRL and RLPA had left a number of players in limbo, in particular the game's women's stars who are unable to sign contracts for this year.

The long wait for terms in NRLW contracts to be finalised have already cost one player their salary for this year, after rookie Tayla Curtis ruptured her ACL in a NSWRL match.

Curtis had verbally agreed to a two-year deal with the Dragons as she waited for the contracting window to open, but her injury means that is no longer on the table.

Also yet to be sorted are terms for minimum-wage men's players, and the NRL's push for a transfer window to stop players signing with new clubs a year in advance.

NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo said on Saturday he believed the deal was close to being finalised.

"It's been a complicated and long process, and it is drawing to a close," Abdo said on ABC.

"We had a really positive week this week. 

"I think we are getting hopefully close to announcing the first ever women's CBA, and the men's CBA together all as one. And I think that will happen soon."