Ireland can show way forward for Australian rugby with unique payment deferment model

As Australian rugby struggles to cope with the financial fallout from the coronavirus, may be the answer to their woes lies 16,000km across the oceans and a unique payment deferment model.

Ireland's scrum-half Conor Murray gestures during the Six Nations international rugby union match between England and Ireland at the Twickenham, west London, on February 23, 2020. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP)

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Australian rugby's legion of professional players, coaches, staff and employees should brace for pay deferrals of at least 10 per cent as the code heads into a six-week void.

Rugby Australia has put health as the No.1 priority for the entire rugby community but a jolting financial hit is also a reality.

RA on Monday confirmed plans had been put on hold for a domestic competition to fill the hole left by Super Rugby's untenable situation because of coronavirus restrictions.

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Brad Thorn and the Reds will have to cool their heels for a while.

A proposed start date of April 3 has been suspended until at least May 1 after the introduction of tougher government measures to limit the spread.

No games means no gate receipts and no live content for Fox Sports which tips in the bulk of the annual $57 million broadcast deal which is the lifeblood of the code.

“While this is having an unprecedented impact on our sport and many other sports, this is bigger than sport and that is why we will continue to put the health and welfare of our people above anything else,” RA chief executive Raelene Castle said.

Team doctor Dalen Cullen, coach Brad Thorn, Queensland Rugby Union chief executive David Hanham and skipper Liam Wright where among those to address the Queensland Reds playing squad at Ballymore on Monday before the home of rugby in the state was closed for a fortnight.

All Australian Super Rugby teams have ceased training for two weeks before a further review of competition options and the health scenarios in mid-April.

The Irish rugby situation is a pointer to where rugby in this country could be heading for more than 200 professional players and staff at state bodies.

Ireland are doing everything they can to keep staff.

The Irish Rugby Football Union, its four provinces and the players' union, Rugby Players Ireland, have agreed to a payment deferral model for all employees.

The deferrals, which range from 10-50 per cent, do create a way to keep staff.

The aim is to return to full pay as quickly as possible and repay any deferrals which means creating money-spinning games when the code resumes.

IRFU chief Philip Browne said “daunting financial challenges” meant cutting costs was essential and Castle must be faced with the same brutal scenario to protect the future of the game.

Any breathing space on cashflow will help RA, the QRU, the NSWRU and the governing bodies of the Melbourne Rebels and ACT Brumbies.

A second positive test for coronavirus is believed to have been registered by a player in the Sydney University team that played the University of Queensland for the Australian Club Championship in Sydney on March 14.

UQ general manager Jason Greenhalgh said “around 35 players, supporters and officials” had been self-isolating since the original positive finding last week and “negative results had come back from the four or five without symptoms who have been tested”.

Reds players Jock Campbell and Harry Hockings were among those to put 20kg weight plates from Ballymore in their car boots to assemble a home gym to stay fit.