Coronavirus forces Canberra Raiders enforcer Josh Papalii to consider financial health

The world's best prop said the deal struck between the NRL and the Rugby League Players Association "wasn't too bad", although he admitted it was disappointing there weren't contingencies in place to ensure a deal wasn't necessary in the first place.

The players will receive $24.6 million - about two months' pay - but they'll forfeit five months' pay if the NRL is unable to resume due to the COVID-19 virus.

They'll also lose more than $5 million from the liquidation of the injury hardship fund, but will have access to the retirement account if further financial help is needed.

The main thing Papalii took from the crisis, which saw the NRL halted after just two rounds, was to ensure his own house was in order.

"It wasn't too bad. Obviously the way things panned out with the coronavirus going viral across nations that's something we can't stop," Papalii said.

"For the game being around that long we should've had a few things in place, but so be it.

"It's just a shame we couldn't take care of everyone overall.

"From my point of view it's made me look at my financial life a bit [more] closely than previous years and it's made me learn a bit more than the usual of what you can do to try and set yourself up and how to look after your family in tough times."

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The injury hardship fund was only set up in 2017 and was to help players forced to retire due to injury.

All $5.4 million in that fund has now gone, potentially impacting any players who are forced to give the game away in the future.

Papalii felt there were still provisions to look after those players.

"I think there's still things in place for injuries that end careers. There's still things in place, touch wood that it doesn't [happen]," he said.

"I'm pretty sure there's a clause in there that if that was to happen they will be looked after."

Raiders chief executive Don Furner said in an ideal world the injury hardship fund would still be there, but it was an unfortunate sign of the times.

He said the positive was it ensured the current players get through this year in the best way possible.

Furner praised the speed with which the negotiations between the RLPA and the NRL were conducted - especially considering previous collective bargaining agreements have taken two years to complete.

"I thought it was good work by both parties. The players showed a lot of maturity and responsibility, and selflessness," he said.

"Whatever criticism you want to level, to get that done within a week when we've had CBA negotiations over the years that have taken two years.

"It just shows you what you can achieve if you all pull together."