Wallabies lock Izack Rodda and Queensland teammates Isaac Lucas and Harry Hockings have been stood down without pay after refusing Rugby Australia’s competition-wide player pay-cut proposal.
Australian Super Rugby players agreed to an average 60 per cent salary hit after the competition was paused – and RA’s brittle financial state was revealed – because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Reds returned to training on Monday but did so without the trio, who through their agent notified RA they would not accept the salary hit or register for the government’s JobKeeper subsidy.
“Many industries in Australia are facing the same circumstances as sport in this country and the majority of our people have agreed to reduced hours under the federal JobKeeper legislation, which is assisting businesses such as ours through the COVID-19 pandemic,” Queensland Rugby Union boss David Hanham said.
“As we have outlined before, these conditions are necessary at present and allow the QRU to create a financial bridge to the other side of this pandemic.
“Unfortunately, we have had to take the decision to stand-down three of our players. Given the recent negotiated player-payment reduction agreement, this was not a situation the QRU had expected to face.”
RA’s director of rugby Scott Johnson described it as an “unfortunate” situation.
“We want the players to remain in Australia and honour their contracts with the Reds and Rugby Australia,” he said.
“We are aware they are looking at their legal position, but we hope this can be resolved with the players as soon as possible and we will keep an open dialogue with them.”
Ruckin Oaf
Guest
Senior players - you realise that these guys are in the Reds right ? They'd have to call Japan or Europe to talk to senior players ;)
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
And the end result of your vision is what for the local competition with 3rd rank players? Who watches? Who pays? This a complex discussion and might best be left to the adults Steve
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
I'm sure if you take a Bex and a lie down for a wee while Steve you'll recognise the difference between players signing new contracts with different clubs (not breaking existing contracts) and players opting out of a collective bargain agreement approved by their Players Union, (adhered to by all of their colleagues) with the goal of breaking an existing contract to go elsewhere for more money. I hope you will. Maybe not. Personally, I was disappointed to see Arnold, Latu and Coleman go but respected their right to do so. The Queensland 3 are a very different story
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
And/or full stops. Periods really
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
Geez I hope this is irony
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
Agreed Hoy. I wonder how many players look back on careers where they've listened to agents who have very different goals and wondered if they got it right. I.e. agents get paid a percentage of money earned and players have to balance the dollars against the prestige of winning (playing in) world cups, Bledisloes, etc I have never had to make these decisions but I hope I'd have found a way to stay at home and play for the rep teams that picked me. As for being unhappy with your coach for not picking you as captain - that happens to us all and we find a way to man up and deal with it. I'm disappointed with these guys but acknowledge I don't know what's really happening to force this situation.
RobC
Roar Guru
– BB is Biltong Bek. Corne’s original online name – CLBG is Company Limited by Guarantee – RARA. you will have to guess that one, if youre in the mood I hope it made your day!
RobC
Roar Guru
haha
Ex force fan
Guest
Even players that are not world class like Beale, Genia and White manage to work around the system and get to Australia just in time to play RWC... so may you are correct - you do not even have to be good..
Ruckin Oaf
Guest
Heck with Thorn running the team there might be a middling journeyman coming for your spot. OR he might just wake up one morning and decide you don't have a spot at all.
Steve 50
Roar Rookie
Um so you basically admit super rugby is just a national team trial unlike club rugby in Europe which is focused to club glory not national team interests? Do Loads of English and French players quit once they are not wanted by national team or never get picked by national team? No loads of players have long club careers in Europe and never play national team. Admit it, Aussie rugby model at super rugby is about it being a national team trial unlike European club rugby that isn’t just a national team trial. Your saying super rugby is like Sheffield shield , a national trial comp where we European club rugby isn’t a centralised national team trial competition only. England France, club glory is equal to national team success , in Australia and NZ model it’s obvious the national team Is the priority and no 1 focus .
Steve 50
Roar Rookie
I’m reporting your comment to the roar mods. Who is this Nima and I’m not Nima? What’s your real name?
Azza
Guest
First Lote never played for the Reds and those others never led a mutiny and destroyed a state team. Get your facts right Nima.
Locky
Guest
And why didn't Skelton stay and guide the young tahs around?? see how that works?? Why didn't Douglas stay?? why didn`t Phipps Foley stay to guide round the young tahs. They were not wanted by Cheika or the new coach.You play for your state so you can play for your country.See here is where you lose the argument.
Azza
Guest
Is that you Nima? TWAS usually is right.. :laughing: :laughing:
Harty
Roar Rookie
To paraphrase JOC, I don't think this will be good for the three's brand...
Spraggy
Guest
Can i help you Karen? I wasn't speaking to you ! It`s rude to butt into a conversation i was having with an old school friend of mine, but i see you doing that everyday. You are a known big noter aren't you. ? No respect.ffs
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
That makes sense. But what I don’t get is who have RUPA negotiated on behalf of with regards to pay cuts?
Amcd
Roar Rookie
These a 3 young players who are potential future Wallabies stars. Where is their advice coming from? Is the agent a lawyer or accountant? The so-called advice has led to stand-down, damaged reputations and zero income rather than the pay cut accepted by their colleagues. Just crazy!!! Notwithstanding; it is dissapointing that these boys have done this stuoid thing. They would be forgiven if they apologise quickly. Perhaps some mature advise by some senior player could help.
ScottD
Roar Guru
Gray Hand Or alternatively, the REDS had a clean out of the dead wood and rebuilt the team with people of the right character. Just because a coach and club is demanding doesn't mean they are bad. The best run contracts I have seen in real life (not sport) were run by hard task masters that brooked no BS. Just like the attitude that Brad Thorne and the REDS are now exhibiting. In fact, just like the attitude that the significantly more successful NZ teams have.