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.

This would save the ARU a potential AU$462,000 (approximately €235,556) a year in match payments to Test players.

The players are said to be unhappy about the prospect of a pay cut but would be prepared to consider the sacrifice if there was a genuine financial imperative. It is also believed the players would also be more accepting of a cut if cost-saving measures were introduced across the board at the ARU.

The ARU is not expecting the players to shoulder the burden alone and has already made moves to cut costs, with more measures are expected to be implemented. The Australia A team and the Australian Rugby Shield, a domestic event, have been scrapped.

There are also suggestions that the ARU is looking to save money on the Wallabies’ hotel accommodation during training camps.

While the players may be supportive of the ARU’s financial strategy, they will seek a quick resolution of a pressing issue which is causing a great deal of concern and which has repercussions for northern hemisphere sides like the Irish provinces. The ARU and RUPA are yet to agree on a new early release policy for players wanting to leave Australia to play overseas, a matter dragging on for nearly a year.

Players are contracted in Australia from January to December, but with European competitions beginning in September, that can make it difficult for Wallaby players to secure deals on this side of the world.

Under existing terms, players are granted an early release from their contracts if they have played 30 Tests or 60 Super rugby games. The ARU wants to change the criteria to 55 Tests or 80 Super rugby games, which has met resistance from RUPA, which believes that increase is too great.

There was more evidence of the recession’s impact yesterday with news that Coca-Cola will not continue as sponsor of the International Rules Series in Ireland or the Irish International Rules team in 2009.

GAA president Nickey Brennan thanked Coca-Cola for their support in recent years. The GAA is in the process of tendering for the TV rights for the 2009 and 2011 International Rules Series and will be putting together sponsorship packages for both the series and the Irish team after that process is complete.