Poms cop $26K bonus hit after Brexit

Sydney:

Eddie Jones warned his players against complacency against the Wallabies yesterday, but the tumbling value of the British pound following the Brexit decision may be weighing on their minds more heavily than a 2-0 series lead as the squad deals with $26,000 in lost bonus payments. England players were promised £230,000 (F$648, 710) in bonus earnings if they finished their season ranked as the world No.2 side. Regardless of what happens, England is set to remain the No.2 side behind the All Blacks having already claimed the series last Saturday. However, the value of their bonuses have sunk on the back of the decision of their countrymen to opt out of the European Union.

The British pound went into free fall following the “Brexit” decision to leave, and the £230,000 pound bonus that was worth $453,261 four days ago slumped to $427,570 last Friday. That sum, to be shared among the squad, means each player has lost about $1100 already, and potentially more if the foreign currency market continues to crash. The Brexit decision was a hot topic of conversation after England finished their final training session at Allianz Stadium last Friday, and players took to social media afterwards to express their displeasure regarding the breakaway. AAP