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Pay cuts may be okay for Kruis or Nowell, but lower paid teammates might not agree - Andy Goode

(Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

Imposing a 25% pay cut across the board in the Premiership may be a necessary evil but it is fraught with problems and the devil is in the detail.

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First of all, players like Jack Nowell and George Kruis, who have openly said they’re ok with the cut, are going to be alright financially but some of their team-mates aren’t as well off, definitely don’t agree with them and may not be too happy with that stance.

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It’s a lot more difficult for those lower paid players to stick their heads above the parapet because they might be judged for doing so.

I’ve had players come to me asking if they have to take a pay cut and legally they don’t. The Rugby Players’ Association (RPA) has also informed its members that they are within their rights to tell their club it is a “breach of contract”.

Apart from the fact that this affects players very differently depending on their salary, the detail is also vitally important. In reality, we don’t know how long this is going to go on for and we also don’t know whether full pay will be reinstated when players begin training again or not until games are going ahead.

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If it’s a case of getting 25% less income for a month, it may not even be an issue but nearer six months and that’s a big deal. There will also be a mini pre-season of at least a few weeks and players would understandably be frustrated if they were still on reduced pay for that.

Imagine if you were a player who hasn’t got your contract situation for next season sorted out yet as well. Some of those players will feel like they don’t have a voice because offers could be taken off the table if they don’t toe the line and they may be seen as troublemakers.

Equally, those who know they’re moving clubs at the end of this season and perhaps also aren’t among the very top earners would understandably not be particularly keen to just accept a pay cut.

I think a major part of the problem is that it seems to be a blanket approach when it has to really be dealt with on an individual basis because every player’s situation is different and, on top of that, it sounds like it could have been handled better by certain clubs.

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Clubs are in a very difficult position themselves and I think everyone understands the tough financial pressure they’re under. It’s a perilous situation for a lot of them and we all want a professional sport to come back to with none of them having gone bust.

Players recognise that too and many will instantly accept the pay cut as a result but they have to look after themselves and their families first. Rugby isn’t football and many live month to month, paycheck to paycheck. Some lower down the food chain have even more of a hand to mouth existence and I think that’s something fans just don’t realise.

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I was asked to take a pay cut when I was at Brive, albeit obviously in completely different circumstances, and I’m not sure how it played out for all the players in the end but I was offered legal advice and I think that’s only right.

In my case it was because of the financial circumstances of the owner rather than a global pandemic, so it isn’t comparable, but the point is that it’s completely understandable for players to be getting legal advice.

I was fortunate enough to be able to take up an opportunity at the Sharks and also know that I was joining Worcester the following season. Players at the moment don’t have that luxury.

Everyone has been affected by Coronavirus in some way and most of the country are being affected financially, some a lot more than rugby players. As a result, it’s difficult for players to feel able to speak out.

I’m not saying it has been but this isn’t something that should just be imposed across the league, it has to be handled delicately and done on an individual basis because every player’s contract and situation is different.

There are no winners in this situation, we all know that, but it can’t just be a one size fits all policy and players’ individual circumstances have to be taken into account.

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Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
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