Aussie rugby stars face pay cuts

AUSTRALIA’s rugby superstars have been asked to consider pay cuts and cheaper hotel rooms as part of a wide-ranging strategy to improve the finances of the Australian Rugby Union.

The ARU is expected to announce a multi-million-dollar financial loss at its annual general meeting in March and believes it must take a fiscally responsible approach in order to return to profit, particularly in economically difficult times.

There have been discussions between the ARU and the Rugby Union Players Association about reducing the Wallabies’ match payments from AU$11,400 to AU$10,000 (approximately €5,800 to €5,000) per Test as part of the collective bargaining agreement negotiations.