I have implemented the maven rpm plugin in the "RPM as Secondary Artifact" style configuration (http://mojo.codehaus.org/rpm-maven-plugin/usage.html)
<execution>
<id>attach-rpm</id>
<phase>deploy</phase>
<goals>
<goal>attached-rpm</goal>
</goals>
</execution>
We have distribution management configured in our parent, and this deploys the war to nexus fine.
The rpm is created, but does not get uploaded to nexus however.
I was asked to invoke the rpm plugin in the deploy phase. Could this be why the rpm is not uploaded to nexus? Does it have to be created during package?