Bledisloe buildup rocked as players’ boss blasts ‘unacceptable’ move
Australia’s Bledisloe Cup buildup has copped a curveball with the Rugby Union Players’ Association blasting the game’s governing body for what it views as “unacceptable” behaviour.
RUPA chief executive Adrian Turner had kept a low public profile since replacing ex-Wallabies lock Justin Harrison in the role in April.
The Wallabies stand for the national anthem. Getty Images
But with the collective bargaining agreement set to expire on October 31, Turner has lost patience with Rugby Australia and issued a withering statement, claiming it was not engaging in “genuine” negotiations.
“Players want to get a deal done, and we have been trying to move these negotiations forward,” Turner said.
“We have put forward alternatives to try to bring the parties closer together, including when Rugby Australia asked us to do so. We now need Rugby Australia to reciprocate, respect the bargaining process and engage properly with the proposals in front of them.
“We cannot afford to keep losing time. The current CBA expires on 31 October and there is still a significant financial gap between the parties. The way to close that gap is through genuine bargaining.”
Australia is hosting the 2027 men’s Rugby World Cup and the women’s tournament in 2029.
Turner said the players deserved a healthy slice of the impending financial pie.
“Australian rugby has a unique financial opportunity off the back of the Lions tour and our home World Cups, which will generate significant additional revenue for the game,” he said.
“There remain significant issues to work through about how players share in that growth. As one example, Rugby Australia proposes that players do not share in a single dollar of the significant hosting fee it receives for the 2027 World Cup. That is unacceptable.”
The row is an unwelcome distraction as the Wallabies attempt to break a 40-year drought against the All Blacks at Eden Park on Saturday.
“With the Bledisloe Cup this weekend and a busy international schedule ahead, players should be focused on representing Australia. RUPA’s job is to keep these negotiations moving on their behalf,” Turner said.
“We are ready to bargain and do the work required to get a deal done. We need Rugby Australia to do the same.“
Harry Wilson of the Wallabies celebrates with Phil and Charlie Waugh. Getty Images
Strike action is a possibility if a deal can’t be struck by October 31.
RA chief executive Phil Waugh responded by stating that the organisation had a responsibility to take a long-term view with its CBA dealings.
The game failed to capitalise on the windfall from the last home World Cup in 2003, when Waugh was playing for the Wallabies.
“Our own history has shown what is lost when moments like this are not seized, and we are determined to make the most of it together,” Waugh said.
“Rugby Australia and the Super Rugby clubs have put forward a submission to RUPA for the next CBA cycle that reflects how much we value our players.
“It would lift the minimum annual commitment to players to 32 per cent, increase minimum salaries across all full-time professional programs, establish a full-time integrated women’s rugby program, expand the successful full-time women’s sevens program, double the number of full-time professional female rugby contracts and ensure players share in any commercial growth, including by lifting salary caps.”
RUPA’s president is Wallabies prop Tom Robertson, who is not in the Bledisloe Cup squad.
Josh Nasser during a Wallabies training session at Ballymore Stadium. nna\sworthington
Current Wallabies forwards Josh Nasser (Queensland Reds) and Nick Champion de Crespigny (Western Force) are the player directors for their clubs.
The other men’s Super Rugby player directors are Andrew Kellaway (NSW Waratahs) and Blake Schoupp (ACT Brumbies).
Adrian Turner’s statement in full
“Players want to get a deal done and we have been trying to move these negotiations forward.
“We have put forward alternatives to try to bring the parties closer together, including when Rugby Australia asked us to do so. We now need Rugby Australia to reciprocate, respect the bargaining process and engage properly with the proposals in front of them.
“We cannot afford to keep losing time. The current CBA expires on 31 October and there is still a significant financial gap between the parties. The way to close that gap is through genuine bargaining.
“Australian rugby has a unique financial opportunity off the back of the Lions tour and our home World Cups, which will generate significant additional revenue for the game.
Harry Wilson, John Eales, Brett Robinson and Phil Waugh. Mark Kolbe/World Rugby via Getty Images
“There remain significant issues to work through about how players share in that growth. As one example, Rugby Australia proposes that players do not share in a single dollar of the significant hosting fee it receives for the 2027 World Cup. That is unacceptable.
“Players sharing appropriately in the revenues they help generate is well established across professional sport. That principle should apply across all revenue streams players help create, including extraordinary events like a home World Cup.
“Our game simply cannot afford to waste the financial opportunity created by these events. We need to reinvest in the players and the settings that give Australian rugby the best possible opportunity to win.
“That means modern minimum salaries across our men’s and women’s full-time programs that keep pace with professional sport benchmarks, proper health and insurance protections, and adequate investment in player development and wellbeing programs.
“These are the settings that help us attract, retain and support our best men’s and women’s talent and put the best possible teams in Gold on the field.
“Winning will drive the next phase of growth in Australian rugby. Successful teams bring supporters back, strengthen the commercial value of the game and create more opportunities to invest across all levels of rugby.
“That is the opportunity in front of us. Players are asking for a CBA that gives them real skin in the game and aligns everyone behind growing the pie for Australian rugby.
Rugby Australia CEO Phil Waugh hugs Ryan Lonergan. Getty Images
“With the Bledisloe Cup this weekend and a busy international schedule ahead, players should be focused on representing Australia. RUPA’s job is to keep these negotiations moving on their behalf.
“We are ready to bargain and do the work required to get a deal done. We need Rugby Australia to do the same.”
Phil Waugh’s statement in full
“As custodians of the game, Rugby Australia has a responsibility not only to today’s players and fans, but to every generation that will follow them.
“The home Rugby World Cups in 2027 and 2029 represent a once-in-a-generation opportunity to secure and grow the game in this country. We remain committed to ensuring this unique moment rewards today’s players and enhances the long-term health and sustainability of Australian Rugby from the community through to the professional game.
“Our own history has shown what is lost when moments like this are not seized, and we are determined to make the most of it together.
“Rugby Australia and the Super Rugby clubs have put forward a submission to RUPA for the next CBA cycle that reflects how much we value our players.
Rugby Australia CEO Phil Waugh with NZ Rugby counterpart Steve Lancaster at the Super Rugby Pacific launch earlier this year. Getty Images
“It would lift the minimum annual commitment to players to 32 per cent, increase minimum salaries across all full-time professional programs, establish a full-time integrated women’s rugby program, expand the successful full-time women’s sevens program, double the number of full-time professional female rugby contracts and ensure players share in any commercial growth, including by lifting salary caps.
“That commitment to our players is one we have honoured throughout the current cycle, with Rugby Australia and the Super Rugby clubs investing substantially above the CBA minimums. We look forward to continuing our conversations with RUPA and reaching an agreement together so that today’s players are rewarded for what they give the game and future generations can take it up with certainty and confidence.”
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