Tensions between the NRL and the Rugby League Players' Association are threatening to boil over after head office sent out a missive to clubs claiming the players were after a $1.06 billion cash grab that would "ultimately destroy the financial viability and structure of the game and its clubs".

The email has infuriated the union and prompted Cronk, Parramatta captain Tim Mannah and newly appointed New Zealand national skipper Adam Blair to defend their position on behalf of a unified playing group. The trio, among the most respected statesmen in the game, are adamant the players aren't asking for any more than a fair share of revenue and have teed off at Rugby League Central for "misleading" the clubs and the public.

"For the NRL to mislead, misrepresent and change facts to something that truly isn't there, it's very disappointing," Cronk told Fairfax Media.

"Does it question the trust between the two parties? Yes it does. The NRL is also losing trust with the clubs with the way they are negotiating. To have the players' association and the clubs question the NRL's direction, it is a difficult time ...

"The one thing the players have is the best interest of the game going into the future and are happy to share a joint opinion as part of a genuine partnership throughout the negotiation.

"We are disappointed that the NRL, in a roundabout way, [misled] the clubs and also the supporters of the game."

The NRL and the RLPA are more than $200 million apart after tabling their initial CBA proposals and neither party wants to concede ground ahead of what looms as a fiery two-day lockdown meeting from June 5. The union claims the NRL hasn't included all revenue streams in its calculations and has fudged the figures to portray the players as wanting more than the game can afford. The players are seeking a guaranteed 29 per cent share of revenue, meaning they will benefit from any financial upside - and also pay a price in any downside - throughout the course of the five-year term.

"It's disappointing that the NRL is trying to drive a wedge between the players and our clubs," Mannah said of the NRL's email to clubs. "I feel it was very misleading, the information that went out to the clubs wasn't entirely accurate, which is very disappointing.

"They are really good at beating their chest and telling everyone how good the game is going, but as soon as you sit down for a CBA negotiation the game has no money and the players are asking too much."

Blair, speaking just hours after he was confirmed as the replacement for Jesse Bromwich as Kiwis captain, added: "The stuff that came out today was disappointing.

"Everything we're doing is to help us, the NRL and the game itself. All we're trying to do is create a genuine partnership so the players are receiving their fair share in revenue and we're helping generate that.

"It's obviously frustrating in how long it's taking and the NRL aren't seeing our side of the story."

All three players commented that the playing group is as united as it has ever been and that they were totally behind the direction of the RLPA.

"The RLPA's original proposal to the NRL was completely shared, it was fair. We stand by our representatives and we will be," Cronk said.

"With Origin coming up, we will be fighting tooth and nail against one another. But up until that game and after that game, we are very much a united front and understand the direction we're all moving towards.

"No matter if you're a player from South Sydney, Cronulla, NSW, Queensland, New Zealand or Tonga, every player is buying into this genuine partnership and understands the strategy that (RLPA powerbrokers) Ian Prendergast, Clint Newton and their team is putting together."

The RLPA issued a press release stating its desire to work with the NRL in good faith "despite the misinformation presented to Clubs" and reiterated its demand for a guaranteed share of revenue. There is a fear the players will consider industrial action if the NRL doesn't back down on the issue, although Cronk said a player strike is the last resort.

"We've got the best interests of the game and that is obviously the fans," Cronk said. "Industrial action is a part of it all but we see it as a last option, there are a few others in front of that.

"In terms of structure and things like that, we want a seat at the table and have a few more conversations. There will be some robust conversations but if that's what it gets to, that's what it gets to."