Rugby Australia to cut more staff

One-third of Rugby Australia's staff will be made redundant in the coming months in the first stage of an organisational restructure which was announced yesterday.

In a statement, Rugby Australia says that 47 of its 142 full-time staff would be departing over the coming months.

Senior staff who were retained yesterday have also been asked to take a 5 percent pay cut when the changes come into effect.

Thirty other contractors and casual staff have also had their contracts terminated with immediate effect.

Currently, 75 per cent of the Rugby Australia staff have been stood down since April 1st, while the remainder have had their salaries or hours cut during that period.

Rugby AU's executive team have had their salaries cut by 30 per cent during that time but have been working full-time.

Those cuts are along with Australia's professional players taking an average 60 per cent salary cut until the end of September.

The announcement will cut the organisation's wage bill by $5.5 million, an amount that will help the organisation stay afloat as it works to get rugby games back on.

Rugby Australia also announced yesterday that the Sunwolves' hopes of being part of the Super Rugby Australia competition have been dashed, confirming a five-team only competition that is expected to kick-off on July 3rd.

[Souce:Rugby.com.au]