Australian players agree to 'significant reduction in pay'

The wage dispute negotiations between Rugby Australia (RA) and the players’ association (RUPA) has finally reached a conclusion with the Australian players agreeing to a 'significant reduction in pay'.

The decision follows after the pandemic coronavirus had disrupted the most of the ongoing domestic season with the Wallabies' July series and the Rugby Championship tournaments also in doubt.

Both RA and RUPA were involved in a series of negotiation to discuss the wage cut to help the board make some amends following the financial instability as the RA boss Raelene Castle already had taken a 65 per cent pay cut and laid off three-quarters of Rugby Australia's staff.

“Australia’s professional players will play a central role in the short–term preservation of the game by accepting a significant reduction in pay in order for necessary transformation to begin,” RUPA CEO Justin Harrison said in a statement.

“The players reached a resolution with the Member Unions and Rugby Australia today.

“RUPA’s members understand their part in the game’s immediate future and the responsibility that goes with it. The players have voted as a block in supporting RUPA’s recommendation.”