Aussies agree on bonuses

The Australian Rugby Union said it had reached agreement with the player association on a schedule of bonus incentives for the Wallabies at this year’s World Cup.

The ARU said under the deal with the Rugby Union Players Association (RUPA), the Wallabies’ squad will have the potential to earn significant player bonuses if they capture the William Webb Ellis Cup in New Zealand in October.

Under the deal, the Wallabies have agreed to accept a cut in their match payments during the World Cup in order to maximise their prospective bonus for winning the tournament.

Match payments under the new arrangement will be reduced from around Aus$13,000 ($14,000) to a flat Aus$10,000 for pool games and Aus$11,000 for knockout matches at the World Cup.

There will now be a bonus of Aus$110,000 for each player if this year Australia becomes the first country to claim a third World Cup title, the ARU said.

The Wallabies’ scheme will be activated only if they win a semi-final and qualify for the final.