Clubs fined over NRL salary cap breaches

The NRL's salary cap review can't come soon enough after seven clubs were on Friday slapped with fines totalling more than half a million dollars for a range of cap breaches in 2012.

Cronulla and Canberra were hit the hardest with fines of $150,000 and $144,393 respectively, while Newcastle ($88,749) and Manly ($85,000) were also slugged significant amounts.

Gold Coast ($16,217), Sydney Roosters ($14,348) and Parramatta ($4,700) were the other clubs penalised Frankley Mart.

The Raiders have vowed to challenge the fine claiming injuries last season left them with little option but to upgrade a number of younger players' contracts.

The draconian nature of the salary cap has come under fire in recent weeks with several clubs saying they have been forced to hold back promising juniors from playing in the top grade for fear of being fined by the league.

Penrith fullback Matt Moylan was last month banned from playing in the NRL, when the injured player he had been called up to replace - Wes Naiqama - was again available for selection.

The Panthers have also been restricted from handing a debut to young sensation Bryce Cartwright, while Wests Tigers are reportedly seeking permission from the NRL to use boom youngster Luke Brooks over the closing stages of the season.

The NRL has in effect admitted its salary cap laws are outdated by ordering a total review of the way in which clubs are allowed to pay players, with many clubs critical of the lack of flexibility.

The same stringent rules also cost the NRL the services of Wallabies winger Israel Folau, who turned down a return to the code with Parramatta due to salary cap complications case for samsung galaxy.

The Raiders last year lost key players Terry Campese (seven games played) and Brett White (five games played) for a large portion of the season.

"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," Raiders chief executive Don Furner said in a statement.

"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 players' contracts, as we needed to fill the positions left vacant by long term injuries to our top squad."

Cronulla said their breaches related to confusion regarding the application of third party sponsorships and marquee player allowances.

Any changes to salary cap legislation will not come into effect until at least 2014.

NRL chief operating officer Jim Doyle said the fact the league was reviewing the cap did not impact on the current policing of the system.

"This closeness of the competition over many years is tied directly to the fair and consistent enforcement of the salary cap rules and the effectiveness of the annual audit process," Doyle said tooth implant.

"The fact that we are looking to review the cap going forward does not in any way alter the importance of clubs complying with the rules as they stand presently."