Equal pay fair way for Gillett

KANGAROOS backrower Matt Gillett has voted “yes” to equal pay, believing it’s only fair players from minnow nations earn the same as those from Australia and New Zealand at the Rugby League World Cup.

He was responding to reports the NRL was considering reallocating Test match payments from tier-one to tiertwo nations at the next tournament, in England in 2021.

“We’re all out there doing the same thing, so there’s no reason for that not to happen,” Gillett said yesterday.

Under the current collective bargaining agreement, Kangaroos players get paid $50,000 should they go on to win this year’s World Cup.

It’s believed Tonga would be paid about $3000 should they do the same, meaning Australia’s Test stars could be asked to take a massive pay cut.

Gillett, who will play his 10th Test for the Kangaroos in their quarterfinal against Samoa on Friday, is adamant all players should be treated equally in financial terms.