Lock Izack Rodda is one of three Reds players who terminated their contracts with the Queensland Rugby Union and Rugby Australia on legal grounds.

The Reds returned to training on Monday but the trio – Rodda, Harry Hockings and Isaac Lucas – were not in attendance after they indicated through their agent that they had not agreed to the pay cuts introduced amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

They have since all been stood down after indicating their unwillingness to accept a pay reduction.

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But a statement released on behalf of the trio on Friday morning claims that the QRU had no legal basis to stand them down after they refused to agree to salary cuts.

‘This is their livelihood. It is only reasonable that talented players want to secure stable employment during these times,’ the players’ agent Anthony Picone.

‘It is disappointing the QRU chose to air the issues publicly. Given the parlous state of rugby in Australia and Queensland we offered the organisation the opportunity to deal with these matters in private and confidentially. This offer was rejected.

‘It would be wise for the Reds and RA to maintain amicable relationships with these players. The future is uncertain, but we should always have as many players in the tent as possible. South Africa have jumped the gun on us in this space and they won the World Cup with a unified squad selected from all around the world.’

Both Rodda and Lucas are signed on long-term deals with QRU and RA, while Hockings is off-contract at the end of the year.

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