Pulver cuts Force, inks pay deal in dying days

PAY parity, increased rosters for Super Rugby clubs and more room in the salary cap are some bright points in the new collective bargaining agreement as Rugby Australia looks to put one of its most tumultuous years in the past.

Outgoing chief executive officer Bill Pulver acknowledged that damaged relationships in Western Australia would take time to heal after the axing of the Force, but he hoped they would be seen as the necessary changes for the game to move forward.

In what is essentially Pulver’s last task before Raelene Castle takes over on Monday, he was confident the reduction of teams would set up Australian Super Rugby sides for better performances, which would in turn draw people back to the games.

“When you look at the player list from the four remaining teams, they’re very strong,” Pulver said. “Super Rugby starts in February and we’re very confident of much better results this year.”

The new CBA comes into effect immediately and will run until the end of the television rights deal on December 31, 2020.

It now includes Wallabies, Wallaroos, Super Rugby and Sevens players, with the latter two receiving equal minimum contracts for male and female players, while Wallaroos players will receive match payments for the first time.

Super Rugby clubs can contract 36-40 players under a salary cap of $5.5 million.

Pulver said it was an intense negotiation given there was only a few months to complete it after the Super Rugby format was finalised. He was pleased players were able to address welfare issues, including a pregnancy policy for female players.

“For the women’s players, pay parity was really important. Sevens players were coming into the agreement for the first time. Wallaroos, XVs players wanted to have an environment that was appropriate for them,” Pulver said.