FIJIAN BORN PLAYERS FACE PAYCUT
Fijian players playing in Australia are set to be affected by the 60 per cent pay cut agreed on Monday by Rugby Australia and the Rugby Union Players Association (RUPA). These players include are Marika Koroibete, Isi Naisarani, Frank Lomani, Tevita Kuridrani, and Mark Nawaqanitawase.
Rugby Australia confirmed details of the agreement on Monday evening, confirming that players had accepted the cut, which is believed to be weighted towards the game's top earners and will run unti September 30.
Agreement
Should Super Rugby resume before September 30, RUPA and Rugby Australia will start negotiations anew.
All players will receive their full April wage, with the coming months' payments to be adjusted to match the upcoming salary reductions.
Rugby Australia confirmed in Monday's statement that up to six players would also be afforded the option for a sabbatical between 2021 and 2023.
It is believed that this group includes some of Australia's highest earners and also a group of players who have ticked off a minimum number of years' service in Super Rugby as well as taking a significant cut.
They would not be paid by Rugby Australia or their Super Rugby teams during that time if they take up that option.
Monday night's decision comes after drastic cost-cutting measures undertaken by Rugby Australia in the past month.
Three-quarters of the organisation's administration staff have been stood down until June 30 and CEO Raelene Castle has decided to take a 65 per cent salary cut for the next six months.
Castle's executive has taken 30 per cent pay cuts while the remainders of staff still working at head office are on significantly reduced hours and pay.
In a statement on Monday night, Castle said while the conversations had not been easy, the measures were “necessary”.
“This has not been an easy discussion, but it has been a necessary one to ensure that we are able to emerge from the other side of this crisis in the best possible position for the game to move forward. It is important to note that these measures are a stop-gap, not a full-stop,” Castle said.
DIscussions
Castle said there would be discussions around all forms of the game coming up as Rugby Australia looks to navigate its way through the challenges of coronavirus.
“The structure of our game is complex with the international models of SANZAAR, the Sevens World Series and the Olympic Games, and players in all forms of the game will be impacted differently.
“The country is missing rugby and we are all looking forward to the day that players can return to the field and fans to the stands.