NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo came face to face with about 60 players on Friday afternoon to answer questions about the drawn-out pay talks, with some inside the room describing the conversation as “robust” at times.

The Rugby League Players’ Association booked a two-day conference several months ago, and Abdo had been invited to be one of the speakers.

Despite the collective bargaining agreement negotiations starting to reach fever pitch, which included a three-day meeting this week, Abdo made his way to Homebush, where he spent about an hour taking questions from the floor.

Some inside the room told the Herald the questions included issues like RLPA autonomy and why it had taken so long to thrash out a CBA for the NRLW.

One player asked why the NRL was persisting in slashing annual leave from nine weeks to six.

Abdo was grateful to spend time with the players, and vowed to continue talks with the RLPA next week.

The threat of strike action has been mooted, but several senior players who have spoken with the Herald are well aware they risk alienating fans if they disrupt the start of the season. For the time being, they are happy to persist boycotting any NRL media and promotional activities, including the season launch.

Abdo told the Herald late Friday: “The players asked some really good questions, and there was a great exchange of perspectives. I’m grateful for the time I got to spend with them.”