Rugby Australia risks losing generation of talent to NRLW as pay war looms

Tensions have been building between the national women’s players and Rugby Australia, and it is the NRL which stands to benefit the most.

Maya Stewart, Eva Karpani, Piper Duck and Georgina Friedrichs

Rugby Australia is in danger of a mass exodus of players a year out from the 2025 Women’s World Cup and the rival NRLW stands to reap the rewards.

A breakdown in the relationship between Wallaroos players and the governing body over the past week has caused players within the national women’s rugby union side to consider making a code switch as soon as 2024.

Tensions have been building between the national women’s players and RA over some time, and a handful of players had already made the transition into rugby league for this NRLW season, including Mahalia Murphy (Eels), ex-Wallaroos skipper Grace Hamilton (Roosters) and Grace Kemp (Raiders).

However, the situation exploded last Sunday when Wallaroos players published a scathing open letter to Rugby Australia on their social media pages, calling out the lack of meaningful investment or promotion for the women’s game.

Eva Karpani of the Wallaroos would be a hit in the NRLW. Picture: Getty Images

Georgina Friedrichs of the Waratahs. Picture Getty Images

It shone a light on the issues publicly for the first time, but for some players, the grass is looking greener in rugby league.

Recently the NRL agreed with players on a landmark collective bargaining agreement with female players which outlines minimum wage requirements and salary cap increases year on year.

There are also additional representative payments for players who play for their state or country, with Australia’s female players given equal treatment with business class flights to England last year for the Rugby League World Cup, as well as a $30,000 touring payment.

The Women’s World Cup is due to be held in England in 2025, but funding around the Australian women’s programs remains in limbo.

Some NRLW teams have replacement player positions available in their squads for this season (made available if a player suffers a season-ending injury), but 2024 is most likely for any players to make the move.

On their podcast Upfront this week, Sydney Roosters players Millie Boyle and Keeley Davis said any Wallaroos player would be welcomed into rugby league.

“It’s great to see that there’s pushback now, because that’s the way it changes,” Davis said.

“Hopefully it’s a good start and they can really push, but if not, we’ll take all you girls, and the NRL will be happy to pay them.

“(The NRLW salary cap) is increasing next year, so it’s a good time to come across.”

Boyle played the 2017 RWC with the Wallaroos before leaping to rugby league in 2019.

“I do not know how there are so many girls still playing rugby union,” she said.

“There are some amazing athletes in rugby, they’re so dedicated to rugby, they have great skill, they’re so fit, they’re athletic… they’re so committed to rugby and they get nothing in return for it.”

Originally published as Rugby Australia risks losing generation of talent to NRLW as pay war looms