RugbyAU and RUPA agree updated interim pay deal

Rugby Australia and the Rugby Union Players Association (RUPA) have today agreed to an updated interim pay deal through to September 30, 2020, as the code continues to manage significant financial pressures due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The deal has secured Australian Super Rugby players a flat 70% of their contracted remuneration, eligible match payments and bonuses until the end of September, and follows phase one of Rugby Australia’s organisational restructure at the start of June.

This agreement covers the Super Rugby AU competition and will be re-negotiated prior to any Test match program beyond September 30, 2020.

Rugby Australia Chief Executive Rob Clarke said: “Australians all around the country are currently facing an incredibly difficult economic environment and Rugby is certainly no different.

“The professional players have acknowledged the important role they play in ensuring the future health of Rugby in Australia and I thank them for their cooperation throughout this negotiation, to ensure the competition starts this coming Friday night.

“Vodafone Super Rugby AU is just days away from kick-off and now is the time to celebrate the fantastic athletes we have here in this country. The competition will be fast and free-flowing and I know how keen the players are to put on a show.

“We’ve already seen the return of the grassroots game in the Northern Territory and South Australia over the last weekend and we’re working very hard to ensure the community game returns in every State and Territory in the coming weeks and look forward to supporting the Member Unions in facilitating that,” Clarke said.

The Vodafone Super Rugby AU competition is set to kick-off this Friday night with Queensland taking on NSW Waratahs before Melbourne Rebels face the Brumbies on Saturday.