Australia’s top female players will be placed on part-time contracts in the first big step towards professionalism for the women’s game in Australia.
Rugby Australia will make an announcement on the women’s game at a function hosted by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at Kirribilli House on Saturday.
RA will contract 35 players under the game’s new Collective Bargaining Agreement.
A reported $2 million funding upgrade for women’s rugby will see elite players contracted across three tiers, with the capacity to earn between $30,000 and $52,000 in RA payments for Wallaroos and Super W duties.
Super W players will receive a minimum payment of $4000 from Rugby Australia, plus top ups from their clubs of $1000 to $3000 for the seven-week competition.
There is a major disparity between Australian XV as side players and their rivals in England and New Zealand, some of whom are on fulltime contracts.
A very informal Team photo of Australia’s Wallaroos at Adelaide Oval on August 26, 2022 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Sarah Reed/Getty Images)
The move is considered significant from a poaching perspective with AFLW and NRLW more lucrative and England’s club competition luring players overseas.
The effort prompted numerous calls for Rugby Australia to drastically up their investment in women’s rugby.
RA has previously said 2025 was the target to have fulltime Wallaroos, ahead of the next World Cup, and well ahead of the 2029 Rugby World Cup on home soil.
Rugby Australia Chair Hamish McLennan said in a statement: “Australia hosting the women’s Rugby World Cup in 2029 presents us with a great target for women’s Rugby – we want the Wallaroos to win our home World Cup, with a fully professional squad of heroes inspiring the next generation.
“We saw this team’s amazing tenacity, determination, and fighting spirit as they reached the Quarter-Finals at last year’s Rugby World Cup – this was a performance that will lay the foundation for the future of the Wallaroos.
“Rugby Australia has committed additional funding into women’s Rugby this year and is pushing hard for further investment and corporate support – and we are delighted to have the best Rugby coach in the world in Eddie Jones providing input into the Wallaroos in his role as an Adviser.
“It is just the beginning, but the future for women’s Rugby in Australia looks very bright.”
Borthwick makes Smith-Farrell call
England have broken up their contentious playmaking axis of Marcus Smith and Owen Farrell as part of a revamped midfield selected for the Six Nations clash with Italy.
Having started the last eight Tests together, young gun Smith has been demoted to the bench to accommodate Farrell’s selection at five-eighth instead of inside centre.
Former England boss Eddie Jones hoped the creative alliance would blossom in time for the World Cup and Steve Borthwick retained the duo for his first game in charge against Scotland last Saturday – but they have fired only sporadically as a partnership.
Borthwick completed a significant overhaul of the midfield by replacing Joe Marchant with Henry Slade at outside centre while Ollie Lawrence fills the vacancy at 12.
Slade has recovered from the hip injury that forced him to sit out the 29-23 Calcutta Cup defeat in round one while the hard-running Lawrence is promoted off the bench.
Marcus Smith. (Photo by Ross MacDonald/SNS Group via Getty Images)
Only one change has been made to the pack with turnover specialist Jack Willis replacing Ben Curry at openside flanker for his first start since suffering a horrific knee injury in the same fixture two years ago.
Henry Arundell is poised to win his fourth cap after being named on the bench where he will provide back-three cover, the ankle injury that forced him to miss the autumn now fully healed.
“Notwithstanding the disappointment of last weekend’s Calcutta Cup result, we know that in a very short space of time positive steps have been taken towards the manner and style in which we want to play our rugby,” said Borthwick.
“We are at the start of what is a completely new cycle of English rugby. The implementation of new systems does take time and the squad is showing themselves to be hungry to deliver the sort of performance that we know they are capable of.
“From the squad I have selected a team for Sunday’s fixture that I believe is best placed to meet the specific challenges that Italy will bring.
“It is a selection of players whose form, individual strengths and combined qualities suit the way we want to play against Italy, in what we anticipate will be another hard-fought and entertaining spectacle.”
France braced for top two clash
France team manager Raphael Ibanez says the Aviva Stadium is “not far off hell, not far off paradise” as the grand slam champions prepare for a sold-out Six Nations showdown against Ireland in Dublin.
Ireland have made the ground a fortress, with head coach Andy Farrell urging the capacity crowd to help enhance his impressive record of 18 victories from 19 home Tests when Les Bleus visit on Saturday for a potential championship decider.
Fabien Galthie’s men are the only visiting side to triumph at the stadium during Farrell’s tenure – a 15-13 behind-closed-doors success in 2021 – and are seeking a 15th consecutive win to keep their title defence on track.
Former France hooker Ibanez has hostile memories of the Lansdowne Road venue from his playing days and is braced for a raucous atmosphere in the modernised version.
“It is true the first feeling I have about it is the old one, a stadium which in my eyes had an air of the end of the world about it, with the spectators on their feet behind the posts, their constant chanting of popular songs,” he said.
“Since then they have refurbished it and maybe it is a little bit more cosy.
“I see a relationship, though, like its old self of encouraging the Irish fans to be as enthusiastic as possible and transfer this energy into the team.
“I do not believe Lansdowne Road is hell. It is not far off hell, but also it is not far off paradise either.”
France have won the previous three meetings between the sides and completed a Six Nations clean sweep on the back of last year’s 30-24 success in Paris.
Victory this weekend would return them to the top of the world rankings at the expense of their hosts.
“We can feel the excitement since we arrived yesterday,” said the 49-year-old.
“We feel very privileged and honoured to play against the world number one team.”
For the home team, Conor Murray was reported to be in “good form” and ready for the match despite his father suffering “serious injuries” in a road traffic collision.
Gerry Murray was being treated in hospital after he collided with a truck while cycling in County Limerick.
Premier League strugglers turns to Eddie
Relegation-threatened Premier League football club Everton have invited Wallabies coach Eddie Jones to come in and help them stay in the top flight.
The club’s new manager said he wanted the former England coach to come in, alongside some of the club’s great former players.
“It’s something I did at Burnley and I want to bring it in here, slowly but surely,” Dyche told reporters. “It started with the lads who have played here. Reidy is someone I know but, as well as being a legend, he is also a fan. Behind that, over time, there will be other people, like Eddie, who will come in.
“I want them to wander around and get a feel for it. I remember Tony Smith, the old Warrington Wolves coach, coming in at Burnley and saying to me: “I don’t know much about football but I know it is right here – I can smell it in the air. That bit of feedback is crucial.”
Everton were bottom of the table when they beat leaders Arsenal last weekend in Dyche’s first game in charge after replacing Frank Lampard.
“Hopefully Eddie Jones will come in. People I know in sport and business, just to get ideas.”
Radradra on the move
Former NRL star Semi Radradra will join French Top 14 side Lyon at the end of the English season.
The Fiji international, 30, has made 46 appearances for Bristol since arriving from Bordeaux Begles in July 2020.
He helped the Bears win the European Challenge Cup soon after joining and was part of the team that finished top of the Premiership in 2020-21.
“Semi is not just a world-class talent but an outstanding team man,” Bears head coach Pat Lam said.
“He has made a significant impact on and off the field, helping and inspiring a lot of our people, especially the younger players, showing them through his actions what being a true professional is all about.
“These qualities have enabled him to battle back from two serious knee injuries which will allow him to continue to have a positive impact for us in our run-in for the rest of the season.
“It has been a real pleasure to have him at the Bears and we all wish him and his family well for his next chapter.”
Mungbean74
Roar Rookie
My daughter plays here in Japan, and she still hasn’t made the decision which country she’d choose. Auz or Japan…. Leaving her options open
Malo
Guest
The best teams not coaches wins. Coaches are over o overated
Hugh_96
Roar Pro
Very pleased for the women. There has been a lot of talk by RA that they were going to do something. This a good start & puts rugby in the women’s sporting landscape. Also very smart by RA to get the prime minister to announce it, a real coup. Great PR, rugby may not be as big as AFL/NRL but it is still in the game.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Yeh Mungbean, but they are not all Auz ATM. There are quite a few of Maori & Pacific Island heritage, some born here & some born off shore. RA need to start promoting & exploiting grass roots far better than what they are doing now.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Remember JD that the Bokke do have a awesome ' Bomb Squad' on the bench!!
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
As it was Colvin the Landers scraped home to win, but then, in truth, it was a pre season or trial game, as they usually are.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Could be a great move by RA if that did happen!!
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
Very good post Colvin but Savea isn't a modern test openside. He's not suited to leading the defensive line as a decision maker and tackling workhorse, he's suited to hanging back and winning turnovers. He's not suited to hitting rucks, his superpower is leg drive with ball in hand. And he's great at racing off the back of the scrum. The man is a world class 8.
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
I'd say that there's a big difference between what this England team needs at first five and what the Boks need. South Africa have a big pack that will beat teams up but they will tire if they have to run around too much. A kicking ten is good for them. It used to be the same for England but their pack isn't good enough for that any more.
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
Good post . I see so many similarities between Farrell and Pollard . Both conservative , experienced kicking flyhalves , both big guys unafraid of contact , both irreplaceable because of their place kicking , both having played Test rugby at nr 12 .They always should start the game and only last say 20 min bring a playmaker like Smith or Jantjies on so they can exploit the extra available space but never ever unless a midmatch injury forces your hand play em together .
Adam
Guest
"Best coach in the world in Eddie Jones" Ho Hum!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nice. They should be pretty decent this year. I thought Gilbert looked good at 10 last year.
jeznez
Roar Guru
We aren’t reading it differently. Top women’s players earn 80-90k AUD in England. So the very best will head offshore. 35 players will stay earning 40K a year. Next best group will head overseas and then we’ll have development players earning 4K a year you mentioned above. It’s exactly what I described in my earlier comment.
Colvin Brown
Roar Guru
Hi Lr, In the 1st half a youngster Cam Miller played 10 and Mich Hunt played the 2nd half. Goal kicking was carried out by Miller and Sam Gilbert (not Hunt). Both teams didn't have their ABs although Moody and Goodhue were back for the Saders. Blackadder didn't play. Highlanders won the silverware.
FatOldHalfback
Roar Rookie
Great news for the women. Also good that Stan is showing the women's trial between Tahs and Reds. 0-0 at half-time lots of good play but looks very hot.
Colvin Brown
Roar Guru
Yes, it's a problem that comes up time and again ... who to choose from two excellent players, or do we compromise by picking both. I can remember the drama in NZ on whether to pick Grant Fox (the better goal kicker) or Frano Botica (perhaps the better all-round 10) as ABs flyhalf. Fox got the job and Botica left to join league. Then there was Andrew Mehrtens v Carlos Spencer, and Mehrts was the man selected. Then Dan Carter and Nick Evans which Carter won, with Evans leaving to play in UK. It's part of rugby. George Smith v Phil Waugh; George Smith v David Pocock; David Pocock v Michael Hooper. Even now in the ABs Sam Cane v Ardie Savea. Eddie Jones played Smith and Farrell together but, in reality, Farrell is better at 10 than 12. But is he better than Smith at 10? And was there someone better at 12 than Farrell. ABs coach Ian Foster plays Cane and Savea together. Pocock and Hooper were played together. There's no easy answer but some traditionists (like me) would prefer specialists stick to their specialist position. That makes the decision easier.
Did the Crusaders have their first string side on with Blackadder etc? Who played 10 for the Highlanders?
Highlander
Roar Guru
Our first team was pretty damn good CB But of course neither side fielded ABs so Crusaders more greatly impacted Lots to like about the Dermody structure
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
Geez how times and perceptions can change. Can anyone recall the enormous pressure put on Eddie both from the public and press and my guess the administrators to select Smith at 10 based on his premiership performances ? As I recall , Jones initially stubbornly resisted but after a few losses , the trumpets overwhelmed. He was never going to drop Owen Farrell and this scenario of combining oil and water was created . Its a failed experiment and if ever Eddie deserves to say …I told you so .! This is it .
The World in Union
Roar Rookie
Hey Jez, I read it differently. Yes, RA's main focus is on 35 Wallaroos players but RA is also focusing on SuperW players. The article on the rugby.com.au website words it a bit clearer: "It will also see Super W players receive a minimum payment of $4,000 from the organisation, with further payments to come from the Super clubs." I read this to mean that ALL SuperW Players will receive $4000 from RA plus additional payments from the SuperW clubs. The maths works out. If the average RA Wallaroo payment is $41000 (half way between $30000 and $52000) then total Wallaroo payments are $1.435 million. If there are 125 non-Wallaroo SuperW players receiving $4000 from RA then total RA non-Wallaroo SuperW payments are $500000. Therefore $1.435 million plus $500000 adds up to $1.935 million which is pretty much the stated RA funds injection of $2 million.