Australian Super Rugby players will reportedly receive about a 10 per cent pay rise despite waning interest in the game and uncertainty over the competition.
Rugby Australia and players’ representatives have nutted out a new two-year collective bargaining agreement for an average $225,000 yearly wage in 2018, according to News Corp Australia.
» Details of the new Rugby AU CBA announced
The CBA is expected to be announced by outgoing Rugby Australia boss Bill Pulver and Rugby Union Players’ Association counterpart Ross Xenos at 10am AEDT on Wednesday.
The deal is also expected to allow Super Rugby squads to increase by five players, while men’s and women’s sevens players’ base pay has been raised to a similar level to their XV-a-side colleagues.
The pay rise comes after a difficult year for players, many of whom faced months of uncertainty as the governing body made the decision to axe the Western Force from the SANZAAR competition.
Amid low crowd numbers, Australian teams also struggled on the park, with none of them able to beat a New Zealand-based franchise.
There is also uncertainty over South Africa’s long-term involvement in the competition, with reports suggesting more sides could follow the axed Kings and Cheetahs to Europe.
Train Without A Station
Guest
3% more money in total.
taylorman
Guest
In a way theyre rewarding poor performance?, perhaps they could have targeted performance payments though the minimum rate is a pittance anyway. Good to see more money but pity about the cost of it.
Ex force fan
Guest
No more money for less players.
Train Without A Station
Guest
Actually the same money for less players I think.
Sydneysider
Guest
Feel for you Piru and the other WA based rugby fans. Rugby Australia are going to experience more pain this year. All other sports in Australia aren't standing still, they are actually expanding and trying to promote their product more aggressively.
piru
Roar Rookie
I'm sure there's more to it (isn't there always?) But it'd be pretty galling to lose a team so some players could get more money
Sydneysider
Guest
Very true Piru. It hasn't saved money, it has used the same cash pool and redistributed to a smaller player pool. Got to wait for 2020 to see what the new deal brings to RA.
mania
Guest
agree. not much creativity here in rerouting funds. so instead of doing anything new (like chappy points out ; grassroots) they'll just pay the excess to the players. what a great incentive to be mediocre u know when they get that money they will want more. that money couldve been held back as a reward bonus
piru
Roar Rookie
Except that the point of killing WA rugby was supposed to be to save money
Sydneysider
Guest
This is deceptive, since now that there is one less Aussie Super Rugby squad that means there is more money for less players. Nothing to see here. The new deal only goes to 2020 when the next SANZAAR TV deal is to be negotiated. Expect a lower sum for the Australian broadcast rights.
PeterK
Roar Guru
of course with so fewer players with force being kicked out the same total player payments are spread across less players
chappy
Guest
Well, we cant have any extra money going to grassroots rugby. Tally-ho!