Wallabies stars to request contract releases following Rugby Australia’s 40 per cent pay cut demand
While a threat to strike ahead of the revamped Super Rugby AU competition has eased, Rugby Australia’s latest pay cut demands are set to have even greater consequences.
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Some of Australia’s top players are set to request early releases from their contracts after Rugby Australia made clear they would need to accept a pay cut of 40 per cent from October through to the end of the year.
A call between RA and players’ union RUPA on Thursday made clear the governing body does not have a cent to spare, which means the players who had already accepted an average 60 per cent pay cut from May to September 30 will now have to swallow an additional 40 per cent cut from October 1 to December 31.
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Players had been united behind the idea of boycotting the Super Rugby AU tournament, starting July 3, on Wednesday, however it seems cooler heads have prevailed and they will take the field next weekend.
However, the caveat will be that some stars ask RA to release them from their contracts on September 30 so they can take up more lucrative offers overseas.
That will leave the organisation in a pickle, as they hope to play at least four Bledisloe Cup Tests against the All Blacks this year and are already light on selection depth.
Leading players held a late-night conference call with RUPA on Thursday, and it is expected that a counter-proposal to RA’s 40 per cent wage cut will be presented on Friday.
That is set to include requests for early releases from some, but not all players.
RA will likely resist this because not only do they need their strongest possible Wallabies team for 2020, they need their biggest names locked in for next year in order to get a broadcast deal signed for 2021.
An exodus of Australia’s brightest talent could kill any deal, which as of now is looking uncertain.
It creates the potential for another stalemate a week before the Super Rugby AU tournament is to kick off and revitalise the struggling code.
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in 77 redundancies at RA – 47 full-time and 30 contractors.
Some at Super Rugby franchises have been forced to take pay cuts of more than 70 per cent while still working full-time hours, while others remained stood down on JobKeeper and will continue to do as long as the Federal Government retains the scheme.
Adding to RA’s financial woes is the unexpected early relocation of the Melbourne Rebels to Canberra – they’ll fly to the nation’s capital on Friday morning.
Because of Victoria’s spike of coronavirus cases, the team is being forced to get out of the state early, and the extra time in Canberra is estimated to cost up to $200,000.
And if Victoria imposes increased lockdown measures and travel restrictions as predicted, the Rebels will be forced to remain away from home for an extended period, adding to costs.
Originally published as Wallabies stars to request contract releases following Rugby Australia’s 40 per cent pay cut demand