Felise Kaufusi seeks fairer World Cup player payments
Australian players will receive A$40,000 for the tournament, while players representing other nations will earn A$850 a match.
Rugby League Players Association (RLPA) general president Felise Kaufusi plans to push for a smaller gap between payments to Australian players and those representing other countries at the Rugby League World Cup.
Australia’s squad members are due a flat A$40,000 payment under a collective bargaining deal agreed by the RLPA and Australian Rugby League Commission. Other nations’ players will receive A$850 for each match, reaching a maximum of A$4,250 if their team makes the final.
Kaufusi, a Dolphins forward who represents Tonga but is outside its World Cup squad, said he would raise the disparity in the next collective bargaining negotiations. He said payments did not necessarily have to be identical, but should be closer.
Several national coaches expressed concern before squad selections that the Australian payment could influence players eligible for more than one nation. Kaufusi said most players put heritage and culture ahead of money, but a fairer system would remove that financial incentive.
He pointed to Jason Taumalolo and Andrew Fifita, who chose Tonga before the 2017 tournament, giving up the A$20,000 available to New Zealand and Australian players. Kaufusi also praised Sydney Roosters centre Robert Toia, who elected to stay with Tonga despite interest from the Kangaroos.
