Seven NRL clubs fined for salary cap breaches

Seven NRL clubs have been fined more than $500,000 (£304,000) for salary cap breaches.

The hardest hit club was Cronulla, who received a fine of $150,000 for breaches following an audit of the 2012 season.

Manly, Newcastle, Sydney, Gold Coast and Parramatta were also sanctioned, while Canberra Raiders immediately indicated their intention to appeal their $140,000 fine.

Raiders CEO Don Furner said: “We were aware of our overspend in both first tier and second tier salary caps however we will be lodging an appeal in the size of the fines and we’re confident in that appeal.

“This overspend related to representative bonuses, and payments to players outside the top 25 to cover long term injuries.

“In 2012 we had to activate a number of clauses in younger player’s contracts, as we needed to fill the positions left vacant by long term injuries to our top squad.”

There is continuing talk Down Under that the way the salary cap is policed will be changing in the near future.