Not only do the poor buggers have to actually live IN Australia, but now playing for your National team will result in a lower salary.

I am referring to the pay-cut the Australian rugby players have accepted, this following the news that their union is practically bankrupt. The only reason the Wallabies got any salaries this year, is thanks to the British and Irish Lions tour, which made some a good bit of bob. Earlier indications from within Australia seem to show that Australian Rugby shows a larger deficit every year. The last reported deficit was around 19 million Ausie Dollars (R180 million)

(FYI – For those not quite in the know, a growing deficit means that the money received by Rugby Australia is less than the money spent by Rugby Australia, and can be likened to an overdraft. An increasing overdraft, without ever looking to be in a position to repay such overdraft, is why the Australians are introducing these cuts)

According to reports on Sport24 this morning, the players have accepted a 23% reduction in their match fees, which previously was a mere 13 000 Aus Dollars (About R120 000). The new match fee is a lowly 10 000 Aus Dollars (R95 000) per match. How these poor rugby players survive, heaven only knows.

There is a positive in all this, the players now receive a greater percentage of the revenue generated. Previously, the players’ share of the total income was 26%, which has no been increased to 29%. All in all, it is tough to play rugby in Australia, and one really has to feel sorry for these poor souls, now more than ever!