Wallabies stars will return to full pay for the Rugby Championship campaign after striking a deal which will funnel bonuses back to those outside the national squad.
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The remainder of Australia's professional players will remain on 70 per cent of their normal wage for the rest of the year after Rugby Australia reached an agreement with the Rugby Union Players Association for the final quarter of the year.
Players had agreed to a drastic 60 per cent wage reduction when COVID-19 forced Super Rugby to shut down in March, before a new deal from July-September saw them earn 70 per cent of normal wages.
The full reinstatement of Wallabies' wages is a reflection of their hectic eight-Test schedule between now and Christmas, kicking off with a Bledisloe Cup opener on October 11 before the Rugby Championship comes to a close on December 12.
But Wallabies squad members have banded together in support of their club teammates, pooling some match payments funds for redistribution to those outside Dave Rennie's squad.
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RUPA chief executive Justin Harrison praised RA boss Rob Clarke for discussions understood to have been conducted in far better spirit than those earlier this year.
"We are obviously not alone in the financial challenges that we are facing but our playing group have stood up and acknowledged their role to play in securing the game's future in Australia," Clarke said.
"The players put on a terrific show during Super Rugby AU. It was a great season and it wouldn't have been possible without the numerous sacrifices made by each of our five teams and their playing squads.
"We are now all extremely excited about the upcoming Test season. The Wallabies squad trained exceptionally hard before their departure to New Zealand to ensure they were in the best possible condition ahead of two Tests next month."
Test match payments are understood to be about $10,000 per match but how much will be funnelled back to those outside Wallabies camp remains unclear.
"Australia's professional rugby players recognise the current state of the game and requirement to make these commitments for Rugby in Australia," Rugby Union Players' Association chief executive Justin Harrison said.
"RUPA would like thank Rugby Australia for the honest and forthright approach, that was founded on the principles of transparency and participation, in solving for a common problem."
Caden Helmers
Caden Helmers is a sports writer for The Canberra Times.
Caden Helmers is a sports writer for The Canberra Times.
