World Cup player payments are larger than ever before

WINNING a Rugby World Cup may be enough reward in itself for the successful team, but the financial bonuses that come with the title are truly incredible.

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 21: Matt Giteau of Australia speaks to the media during an Australia media session at the Lensbury Hotel on October 21, 2015 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

OFTEN during the heat of the World Cup, it is easy to forget that sport in the modern age is in itself a commercial entity.

While the blood, sweat and tears poured onto the field are indicative of what the game really means to the men involved, the enormous monetary bonuses that surround rugby’s largest stage in the professional era cannot be overlooked.

While the numbers would appear petty change compared to the figures thrown around in the world of European football or the USA’s top sporting codes, the amounts on offer as match payments for the more high profile games in the Cup are among the biggest rugby has seen.

Following the All Blacks’ semi-final win over South Africa, it was revealed that the defending world champions were in-line to receive a whopping $150,000 NZD ($140,000 AUD) bonus each if they were to become the first nation to hold the Webb Ellis Trophy three times.

You would be this happy too if you made $40,000 in 80 minutes.

Already taking home a $33,000 bonus for the semi-final win on top of a $7000 match fee, the defending champions are doing quite well for themselves.

The bonus number for this year’s final is 50 per cent larger than that received by All Blacks players in 2011, when the home side was awarded just over $93,000 each for their victory.

Such an increase in player payments on the part of the Kiwis came largely from the success of the 2011 tournament, which saw New Zealand Rugby take $3.2 million in profits.

Similarly, Australia will take home an extra $100,000 each if they are to beat Argentina on Monday morning and go on to win against the All Blacks in next Sunday’s final, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.

That’s on top of their $10,000 match payment, awarded each time a player is selected in the match-day 23.

This year’s final bonus is $15,000 larger than that of 2011, where the Wallabies were eligible for a payment of $85,000 each if they were to take out the Cup.

Allegedly decided upon with the Rugby Union Players Association before the tournament, the Wallabies have already secured themselves $44,500 in win bonuses even before taking to the field against Argentina.

Already the second highest paid rugby player in the world, Matt Giteau’s income could take a significant leap should he help lead the Wallabies to World Cup glory.

These numbers put both Australian and New Zealand players in line to make over $200,000 in a period of six weeks for a mission successfully accomplished.

If per chance, Argentina took out their first tournament title, it is not certain the bonus remuneration they would receive. However considering the game is largely amateur in the South American nation, the number would almost definitely not even be in the same ballpark as that of their rivals.

In contrast, for a member of England’s World Cup squad, the bonus figure for a second title would have been significantly larger than that of any other nation, however considering their premature exit from the competition, to calculate such a figure would just seem cruel.

CRUNCHING THE NUMBERS (AUD)

Australia

Match payment: $10,000

Semi-final match bonus: No additional bonus

Final win bonus: $100,000

Individual haul if crowned champions (and play all games leading up to the final): $214,500

New Zealand

Match payment: $7,000

Semi-final match bonus: $33,000

Final win bonus: $140,000

Individual haul if crowned champions (and play all games leading up to the final): $222,000

England

Match payment: $32,000

Tournament bonus (post elimination): $80,000

Potential final match payment and win bonus: $235,000