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.
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.
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.
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
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 now also have 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.
“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,” said RUPA president Matt Toomua, who plays for the Rebels and Wallabies.
“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.”
Bobby
Roar Rookie
That's true. Maybe they all should get paid an "ordinary" wage to get them used to it post rugby. The "smarter" ones will gather their penny's, later on. My simple and original point was they are allowed and should be able to maximise their earnings whilst playing. The Wallabies is the real brand of RA, not ladies or Sevens.
Rhys Bosley
Roar Pro
There is nothing wrong with being a plumber, farmer, miner or another practical occupation, that any of the players could become post footy. Plenty have hone onto ordinary jobs before and there is nothing stopping the current generation from doing the same.
Phil
Guest
Peter,if it takes a cash incentive to make you want to win,then I doubt if the player would ever have got to the top level.Take pro golfers,for example,most of the top players have more money than they could ever spend,but it's the pride in their performance which keeps driving them.I believe most professional sports people have that same drive.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Matt's got his MBA which is a credit to him. Plenty of others don't have that ability. There's not much quality work for MOST former players so it's fair enough for them to maximise their earnings. Most would get that !
Rhys Bosley
Roar Pro
After their "limited career" they can go and get a normal job like everybody else has to. From what they earn from Rugby, the will be better set up when they retire than most and I think that Toomua's humble observation of their fortunate position in society, demonstrates that the Wallabies "get it", even if you don't.
Wayne
Roar Rookie
I am gobsmacked nobody has blamed this all on SA Rugby yet for pulling out of the RC last year!
Paul D
Roar Rookie
I just don’t think money is the motivator you think it is. Offering more money (or less if they lose) will have little impact on changing a culture. The confidence that they can beat the All Blacks at any time as opposed to being conditioned to expecting a hard day at the office every game is where the secret lies.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Morning Pete. Continuous improvement is definitely something we want to drive. I hear your argument on that. I'm still not sure your solution is the right one. Then again I'm not certain what is. Ultimately I think it's cultural and that is one of the things I hope that Rennie can drive. Maybe it's why he kept Hooper as captain - the guy getting to training first to stand on a ladder for a team mate and leaving last after doing his own work.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Except soccer nations compete on the same terms. In Rugby the successful nations have players playing locally and accessible for test camps, etc. beyond the 7 days prior to a test.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
IMO that’s BS and it’s likely not at all a factor. Every other nation has the same system. Why are some successful and some not? Surely it’s the factors that differ between nations.
The Ferret
Roar Rookie
I know they play to win... but if you are not going to get your 10k for just showing up you may have a little more pep in your step
PeterK
Roar Guru
sure BUT Wallaby players do not have a culture of continuous improvement. Their pinnacle is making the wallabies, not being the best. So add incentives to perform better, that may trigger them to improve their skills and other aspects continuously. Also by a team performance it adds incentives for players to help other players perform better and for the team to perform better.
PeterK
Roar Guru
over time RA do make less money for lots of losses. Lose a lot and ticket sales drop, ratings drop, interest drops, and sponsorship drops. Uncommon for a player on the losing side to get man of the match BTW so that is a minor issue.
PeterK
Roar Guru
team game, in work often a large part of my at risk component of my salary was tied to team objectives.
Ad-O
Guest
I see a future for Australian rugby and it's called soccer. All this time wasted keeping OS based Aussies out of the Wallabies to the detriment of on field success and the boys gonna end up playing in Europe anyway. Protectionism never works. It just protects an inferior product from competition. Competition that pushes change for the better.
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
I love the "when" Cookie!
jcmasher
Roar Rookie
I quite like that. Would have saved thousands over the last 6 years
jcmasher
Roar Rookie
Really! It isn’t often you see such mysogynistic, self entitlement and lack of thinking of others rolled into a single post. Well done for at least achieving that. The 7’s and women’s rugby are probably pulling in more fans than the Wallabies at the moment and I think if they dropped those then sponsorship would suffer even more and so the wage would drop anyway. I personally think match payments should be tied to results and from the last 6 years it makes sense to cut them down
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Agreed. After RUPA’s poor handling of things last year it seems that the top players themselves are quite generous and understand that all players are in it together.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Because they agreed to that amount and then taking a hit won’t save or change Aus rugby where the entire player pool will.