Waratahs player Michael Wells considers legal action against club
HE was just named the Waratahs’ forward of the year, but Michael Wells hasn’t been paid in two months.
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THE Waratahs’ forward of the year, Michael Wells, is considering suing the club over unpaid wages.
In a sensational development, Wells is seeking legal advice having not been paid for two months after agreeing to join the Australian Sevens squad in a flexible contract.
The dispute relates to an apparent misunderstanding over whether the Tahs should continue paying Wells as per normal, or Rugby Australia should cover his entire salary while he is in the Sevens environment.
Both parties are hoping the disagreement can be resolved without going to court, but The Daily Telegraph has been told Wells is prepared to explore all legal avenues if he is not paid.
Waratahs boss Andrew Hore said he does not expect Wells to call in the lawyers.
“I don’t believe that’s the case,” Hore said.
“Any issue with any player is between us and the player.”
Wells was recently voted the Waratahs’ forward of the year and finished third overall in the Matt Burke Cup polling for player of the season in 2018.
His contract with the Waratahs runs through to the end of 2019.
In September, it was announced he was joining the Australian men’s Sevens squad to play in the first six events of the World Series, before rejoining the Tahs next March for Super Rugby.
Under his contract with NSW, Wells believes he is entitled to be paid until the end of the year.
The Tahs had assumed they did not have to pay Wells until he returned in March, with Rugby Australia footing the bill as he is in their Sevens program.
But in a similar situation in 2016, Henry Speight joined the Sevens program and was still paid by the Brumbies when he wasn’t with them.
It’s understood there is no stipulation in Wells’ contracts that he would forego his Waratahs payments.
Wells, 25, became the first choice No.8 for the Tahs this season as they made the semi-finals for the first time since 2015.
His mobility and athleticism prompted Sevens coach Tim Walsh to offer 100kg Wells a deal to join the program through the summer, with a view to possibly using him at the 2020 Olympic Games.
“We are now two years out from the Olympic Games in Tokyo, and we are looking for the best Australian rugby players with or seeking Sevens experience,” Walsh said when announcing Wells’ signing.
“The message is that there are options available for players to pursue an Olympic dream without having to drop their Super Rugby and Wallaby ambitions.”
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Originally published as Waratahs player Michael Wells considers legal action against club
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