Kiwi stars face big pay cuts in England

The hits keep coming for rugby, as a large contingent of New Zealand players in England prepare for potential pay cuts in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak which threatens to cripple the global game.

Reports from England, in the Telegraph and Daily Mail, suggest up to seven Premiership clubs will this week ask players to take a 25 per cent pay cut after the competition was suspended until at least April 24.

With Prime Minster Boris Johnson yesterday suggesting the UK may need three months to get ahead of the coronavirus curve, the chances of rugby resuming at any level next month appears remote.

The prospect of no games and no gate takings, which for some English teams contribute 30 per cent of revenue, has clearly spooked professional clubs, many of whom now fear they may go under.

Cutting wages would be a breach of contract, and so players would have to agree to the proposal. The players’ union and association are expected to assist negotiations.

Wasps are one club mentioned and they have high-profile New Zealanders including Lima Sopoaga, Brad Shields, Malakai Fekitoa, Jeff Toomaga-Allen and Jimmy Gopperth on their books. Jacob Umaga, the nephew of Tana, is also on the roster.

Former All Blacks midfielder Francis Saili plays for Harlequins, also reportedly keen to cut wages.

Unlike New Zealand, where the national body pays the players, clubs in England are privately run.

New Zealand Rugby hasn’t ruled out asking its players to take a pay cut and this may be likely.

New Zealand player wages may, therefore, hinge on plans to stage local derby matches while Super Rugby is suspended. Those plans have become more challenging with each day and new Government protection measures.

News of potential pay cuts in England comes as the Pro14, which features teams from Ireland, Wales, Scotland, South Africa and Italy, opt to suspend their season indefinitely, going so far as to cancel their final, set for Cardiff on June 20.

Such a decision was expected but it may have major ramifications for the July tests when Wales and Scotland are scheduled to face the All Blacks, and Ireland are supposed to visit Australia.

While those countries are locked out of not just competitive matches but also training for the foreseeable future, the July tests become increasingly tenuous, which further threatens New Zealand Rugby’s bottom line.