Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

Australian players return to full pay following COVID-19 pay cuts

(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Australia’s professional rugby players have returned to full pay after the players’ association agreed to drastic Wallabies’ match payment cuts as part of the code’s revised collective bargaining agreement.

ADVERTISEMENT

Rugby Australia expects to save about $2.5 million after the Rugby Union Players Association agreed to effectively halve Wallabies match payments as well as reduce squad sizes and the number of nationally-contracted players.

Super Rugby players were subjected to 40 and then 30 per cent pay cuts as COVID-19 halted play and then forced RA to arrange a domestic season in its place.

Video Spacer

Excitement as Super Rugby AU is launched

Video Spacer

Excitement as Super Rugby AU is launched

Wallabies players were still paid in full for last year’s Tri-Nations though, with RA-contracted players understood to collect about $10,000 per test appearance.

That pales in comparison to the English, who earned about $40,000 per test before accepting a 25 per cent reduction last year.

It’s understood those match payments will be roughly halved for the Wallabies this year, allowing funds to be directed to the Wallaroos in a Women’s World Cup year and ensure the country’s Olympic-bound sevens outfits and all Super Rugby players are on full pay.

RUPA have also created for themselves a seat on any Rugby AU committee, commission or discussion group responsible for Super Rugby’s direction under the new deal, which will be renegotiated next year.

ADVERTISEMENT

“I would like to commend Rugby Australia for the spirit of these negotiations, which have happened during a time of great uncertainty and upheaval but have always been respectful, transparent and fair,” RUPA president Matt Toomua, who plays for the Brumbies and Wallabies, said.

“The players are passionate about the game in Australia and want to see it succeed on-and-off the field on a consistent basis.

“We’re also acutely aware of the broader impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on society as a whole and acknowledge our fortunate position as professional players that are well supported by values-led organisations.”

ADVERTISEMENT

LIVE

{{item.title}}

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

0 Comments
Be the first to comment...

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

R
RedWarrior 1 hour ago
Three-way race to be number one in World Rugby men's rankings

IF SA and NZ win then its 1,2,3 SA/NZ/IRL Otherwise as you were. This is largely irrelevant beyond bragging rights.


As I have pointed out elsewhere the practical use of the Rankings is to determine the seedings bands for the RWC draw. The draw takes place early 2026 and hopefully the rankings will be taken from then.


Important to be in the top 6, the top 12. (and likely the top 4).

This is because there are now 6 groups in the RWC 2027.

If you are in top 6 you are in Seeding Band 1. That means none of the other top 6 will be in your group.

Seeding Band 2 are teams from 7-12, who will have a top 6 team but no other 7-12 team.

After England's defeat by NZ there is clear water between NZ in 3rd, France in 4th and England in 5th. England are desperate for top4, ill come back and explain why later.

Lets look at Seeding Band 1 and 6th place. If you make 6th, no top 6 team is in your group, you are top dog. If you win your group, you won't be facing a top 6 team in your 1/8th final, you will be facing a weaker team. If you fail to make 6th place you WILL have a top 6 team in your group and if you don't win your group you WILL (probably) meet a top 6 in the 1/8 final. That's massive.


Its Argentina holding 6th now. Assuming England hold 5th, then its a 4 horse race for 6th. Argentina, Scotland, Italy and ...Australia. (ranked 6,7,8,9)

Australia play the Lions in NH summer 2025 they are running out of time to get up to 6th for their own RWC. They MUST make a move now. They must beat Wales and they really must beat Scotland to gain points and take points off them. Could they surprise England or Ireland? England may be the better bet but Schmidt knows Ireland so well having masterminded their downfall in France.

Another one to watch is Italy V Argentina. Italy are ambitious and they will want to start pushing the likes of Argentina. If they win this they are still in the hunt. Well worth a watch either way.


Top4: I think the top 6 will be seeded, all the way through from the draw. If thats the case then the top 4 will be seeded to avoid each other until the semi. Good for more certainty around ticket sales etc. That's a possible reason why England want in there. You're not in there you are hitting a top 4 team in a QF. That's an extra 50:50 match you can do without and avoid by being top 4.


Lets look at what Seeding bands might look like with todays rankings:


Seeding Band 1

IRE/SA/NZ/FRA/ENG/ARG

Seeding Band 2

SCO/ITA/AUS/FIJ/WAL/GEO


Sample Aussie strongest pool opponent and 1/8th final opponent if in top 6

Strongest pool opponent: FIJI

1/8 final opponent GEORGIA

Prognosis: advance to 1/4 and potentially beyond


Sample Aussie strongest pool opponent and 1/8th final opponent if NOT in top 6

Strongest pool opponent: SOUTH AFRICA

1/8 final opponent NEW ZEALAND

Prognosis: You know the prognosis


I am pretty sure this is not lost on Joe Schmidt?


Keep in mind when enjoying the matches.

1 Go to comments
LONG READ
LONG READ England need to face a few home truths if they are to relearn that winning habit England need to face a few home truths if they are to relearn that winning habit
Search