Rugby Australia v Wallaroos: Stars breach contracts after funding shame exposed

Australia’s female rugby team the Wallaroos have breached their contracts to expose Rugby Australia’s funding inequality.

The Wallaroos have lashed out at Rugby Australia

Australia’s female rugby players have taken an extraordinary stand against Rugby Australia by breaching their contracts to call out a lack of funding for their game.

Around 20 Wallaroos players, as well as past representatives, have taken to social media with a bombshell statement that claims they have been lied to about further investment in the women’s program.

“You told us flying anything beyond economy was too costly. Then you flew the Wallabies business class on a trip shorter than ours,” the statement reads.

“You told us fulltime contracts were in the pipeline, that there wasn’t enough money to keep the men in the game, let alone us. Then you paid $5 million for an NRL player.

“You said our program would go professional, and our coach would be fulltime. How many coaches has Eddie taken to the World Cup?

“You continually say we don’t have enough resources and yet we all saw the World Cup send off for the Wallabies.

Statement from the Wallaroos.

“We’ve seen the impact that women’s sport has had on the Australian sporting landscape, thanks to the Matildas.

“It’s time for the chairman, board, and CEO to prioritise the future of Australian Women’s Rugby and allocate adequate resources.

“It’s time to acknowledge that we are not promoted equally, even on a free platform.

“The future of the game hangs in the balance.

“It’s your move Rugby Australia.”

Every Wallaroos player has posted this on their socials this afternoon. Do better @RugbyAU. pic.twitter.com/AreCPC0TLN

— Alicia Audrey Maher (@Alicia_Maher) August 20, 2023

The collective move was triggered by a Tiktok which showed the wives and girlfriends of Wallabies players being flown to “say goodbye” to the men’s team on tour.

However, it’s understood action has been in the pipeline for more than a month.

Currently Wallaroos players are part-time athletes, although their schedule is so complicated many struggle to hold down more than a casual job to supplement their contracts.

Former Wallaroos star Grace Hamilton, who now plays for the Sydney Roosters in the NRLW, also shared the post.

Social posts have destroyed Rugby Australia

Social posts have destroyed Rugby Australia

In an Instagram post Tilly Kearns, an Australian water polo champion and daughter of rugby legend Phil Kearns, claims Wallaroos players were left stranded in Canada for three days after a recent tour with no return flights organised.

“This is what I mean by ‘just the beginning’,” she wrote.

“Wallabies partners better looked after than the Wallaroos.”

Rugby Australia has been contacted for comment, although it’s understood they were aware the statement was being released by the players on Sunday.

Players were sent through the terms of their contracts highlighting the clauses they would be breaching by taking their grievances public.

They include displaying or transmitting on social media any content that would be detrimental to the best interests of the game, Rugby AU, World Rugby or the Wallaroos.

Originally published as Rugby Australia v Wallaroos: Stars breach contracts after funding shame exposed