The long-running dispute between the NRL and the players’ union appears to be nearing a conclusion after positive talks between the two factions following months of hostility.

The NRL and the RLPA (Rugby League Players’ Association) met on Wednesday and were to continue fresh talks on Thursday in the hope of finalising the game’s collective bargaining agreement (CBA).

The two parties have been at loggerheads for months but progress made at Wednesday’s meeting gave hope that a provisional agreement could be reached in coming days.

Players would then need to agree to the terms and legal teams would work through the fine print. 

But it is hoped such a process would be straightforward given both sides described Wednesday’s talks as positive after 20 months of tensions.

In recent weeks, players had taken action to protest the NRL’s handling of the talks, refusing to speak to the media on matchdays and taping over the NRL badge during round 22.

Players had also spoken of delaying kick-off times, boycotting the Dally M awards night and had floated the possibility of striking as further protest action.

The RLPA had been adamant that an independent mediator was needed to resolve the stand-off but has put that demand aside in the bid to thrash out an agreement. 

The outstanding issues do not centre around money after a $1.35 billion agreement was reached earlier this year, rather the topics of debate surround season length, digital rights and the international game. 

The RLPA has been steadfast in its desire to guarantee a long-term CBA for NRL players as well as securing a first NRLW CBA.

The NRLW remain without a CBA while the game’s male players have been operating under the terms of the previous agreement which lapsed last November.