Melbourne Rebels captain Dane Haylett-Petty has pointed to a rival code for their handling of the coronavirus-enforced cost cutting as talks between players and Rugby Australia (RA) go in circles.
In a week RA announced a $9.4 million 2019 loss, the Rugby Union Players’ Association (RUPA) has held firm on its request for the organisation to reveal a clearer financial picture before negotiations can continue.
So far RA have refused to do so, arguing they have done enough to satisfy what’s needed for decisions around player pay cuts to be made.
Haylett-Petty said he was frustrated and disappointed with the stalemate.
(Photo by Speed Media/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
“We care about the game as much as anyone else,” the Rebels and Wallabies outside back told AAP.
“We’ve been left out of the loop and left out of the decision making process to date… hopefully that’s changing and we’ll know a bit more in the next week.
“I felt like the AFL the very next day went straight to their players to sit down and talk about where they are at and how we’re going to fix it… (for rugby) it’s been probably over a month now.
“The players want what’s best for the game and the whole game from grass roots up to the international level.
“We are only one of the stakeholders but we feel like we can add a lot of value in the process.”
Under-pressure RA chief executive Raelene Castle will take a 50 per cent pay cut, her executive will lose 30 per cent of their wage and 75 per cent of their staff have been stood down without pay for three months.
But former Wallabies coach Michael Cheika is among those backing RUPA boss Justin Harrison’s call for more transparency, he also challenged Castle to follow NRL counterpart Todd Greenberg’s lead and take the same cut as the players.
Harrison said on Friday they wouldn’t be able to resume “open and honest negotiations” without a clearer picture of RA’s finances.
“Our players approach this long-term transformation with a collegiate and team approach and with an acknowledgement the game has to change,” Harrison said.
“We see no reasons why RA refuses to engage, despite the provision of protection under a non-disclosure agreement.
“At a time when governing bodies in the other major football codes have been open and transparent with their players RA continues to refuse our requests.”
Hertryk
Roar Rookie
I think Clyne and Pulver were just as bad if not worse..
piru
Roar Rookie
is there an echo in here?
USrugger
Roar Rookie
Ken! You da man. I'm astonished at how few folks seem to understand corporate rules. I challenge anyone here spruiking in favour of Folau to post like FB posts IF, indeed, they work for any corporation (especially a publicly traded one). VERY swiftly they will discover themselves on the sidewalk, having just had a visit from HR. And, as we know, this is not a good time to be out looking for a job.
Micko
Roar Rookie
It's weird isn't it? These guys want to embrace professionalism...but not all the way. They freak out that the best rugby union players from Australia, NZ etc will end up in places like UK, France & Japan. And I ask why? Instead they'd rather financially bankrupt rugby union here! If FIFA can organise internationals with pro leagues all over the world that release players for international duties, then why not rugby union, with only a handful of nations that play to a high degree???!
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Hang on. You are criticising RA for not being honest here but also saying they can't be honest. Make your mind up.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
It's arrogance and a bit pompous that they haven't tried to negotiate the players salaries before they know what they have to work with?
stillmissit
Roar Guru
Ken: Thank God! (in Izzies name) that we are the only 2 posters here with balance and honesty.
stillmissit
Roar Guru
Micko: It smacks of arrogance and a bit pompous. Particularly when you consider why the game was shut down, as you say.
stillmissit
Roar Guru
Micko: I read something a few years ago that said NZ's highest-paid players were Reid and McCaw and the top 4 Wallaby players were all paid more than them.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Because SR is a very small amount of RA revenue.
Micko
Roar Rookie
Fair enough.
Micko
Roar Rookie
But they're not playing SR! How come their wages haven't been slashed already like AFL & NRL players?
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Well done. Some big surprises in that one.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
To compare the current situation to the AFL and NRL is inaccurate, because rugby’s product they are currently losing is their least valuable.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Not necessarily. If there are no tests RA are already set to save $4M in player payments. Then there’s the fact that they have been in discussions with NH nations about revenue share if November tests are able to go ahead. Surely you determine what you’re going to lose before you ask players to take a cut, no?
Micko
Roar Rookie
It seems absurd they haven't spoken to the players/players' union and slashed the players' wages already given the current circumstances! :shocked:
Micko
Roar Rookie
Which is ridiculous given the current situation!
Micko
Roar Rookie
That's what you hide behind TWAS, but you and others like KCOL were ecstatic that Folau got sacked. And I can't understand why.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
By retribution, you mean seeking to terminate his contract for not meeting the requirements of it?
Realist
Guest
I know a guy who works in a senior position for one of the major sponsors of a super rugby side who always has good oil. The real smokescreen is the so called ‘insurance policy’ taken out ensuring any payout to Folau would only be the cost of an excess. I bet if the books were made public more than Castle’s head would need to roll.