Rugby Australia reaches pay cut deal with players

MELBOURNE: Australia's players have accepted an average 60% salary cut for the next six months in an interim deal announced Monday.

Rugby Australia confirmed details of the agreement on Monday evening, confirming that players had accepted the cut, which is believed to be weighted towards the game's top earners and will run until September 30.

Should Super Rugby resume before September 30, the Rugby Union Players' Association (RUPA) and Rugby Australia will start negotiations anew.

All players will receive their full April wage, with the coming months' payments to be adjusted to match the upcoming salary reductions.

KEY ELEMENTS OF INTERIM PAY DEAL
Average of 60% reductions in pay for players until September 30.
Should rugby resume by September 30, a new deal will be negotiated
Up to six players with the option to negotiate a six-month sabbatical overseas between 2021 and 2023.
Full April wages to be paid, remaining amount to be amortised in coming months
Three-quarters of the organisation's administration staff have been stood down until June 30 and CEO Raelene Castle has decided to take a 65 per cent salary cut for the next six months.

Rugby Australia CEO Raelene Castle said: “This has not been an easy discussion, but it has been a necessary one to ensure that we are able to emerge from the other side of this crisis in the best possible position for the game to move forward. It is important to note that these measures are a stop-gap, not a full-stop.

“We are deep into our planning to ensure we are able to navigate our way through this and be ready for competition to resume as soon as that is possible. The players have been involved in this process and we look forward to continuing that work and seeing them back out on the field doing what they do best."

Castle said there would be discussions around all forms of the game coming up as Rugby Australia looks to navigate its way through the challenges of coronavirus.

“The structure of our game is complex with the international models of SANZAAR, the Sevens World Series and the Olympic Games, and players in all forms of the game will be impacted differently. These differences for our athletes add complexity to the discussions and so continuing to work together is critical to getting the best outcomes for all," she said.

“The country is missing rugby and we are all looking forward to the day that players can return to the field and fans to the stands.”

RUPA CEO Justin Harrison noted: "Australia’s professional players will play a central role in the short–term preservation of the game by accepting a significant reduction in pay in order for necessary transformation to begin," he said in a statement.

"The players reached a resolution with the Member Unions and Rugby Australia today.

"RUPA’s members understand their part in the game’s immediate future and the responsibility that goes with it. The players have voted as a block in supporting RUPA’s recommendation."

Professional rugby players around the world have been forced to accept substantial pay cuts to help the sport survive the massive blow delivered by the coronavirus outbreak, AP reports. The southern hemisphere's Super Rugby tournament has been indefinitely suspended and Rugby Championships test matches later this year involving Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Argentina are unlikely to go ahead.

World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont last week expressed doubt that any professional rugby competitions will be able to resume in 2020.