Wallabies could each pocket AUD$175,000 if they win RWC

Rugby Australia has agreed to award lucrative bonuses to the Wallabies if they perform well at the Rugby World Cup, with players set to pocket an extra AUD$175,000 each if Australia can lift the trophy.

Before the Wallabies departed for France last month, Rugby Australia and the Rugby Union Players’ Association came to an agreement on what bonuses players should receive on top of regular match payments.

Rugby Australia and Rugby Union Players’ Association wanted details of bonus payments kept confidential, but according to informed sources, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, every member of the 33-man playing squad will take home an extra AUD$175,000 if Australia win the World Cup final in Paris.

Considering the team’s performances of late – the Wallabies have just won six of their past 23 Tests – a World Cup victory would appear unlikely but with Eddie Jones at the helm as coach, anything is possible.

In 2015, the Australian Rugby Union offered players an all-or-nothing AUD$100,000 reward for winning the final, but the team fell just short to New Zealand after making the decider at Twickenham.

If the Wallabies were to make a semi-final, players would pocket AUD$25,000 each.

The last time there was an incentive to qualify for a semi-final was in 2007, but it has never been this lucrative.

However, as part of this agreement, it is understood there would be no extra cash given out if the Wallabies won a semi-final and progressed to the final at Stade de France.

But should the Wallabies replicate the feats of John Eales’ successful side in 1999, they would claim an extra AUD$150,000 on top for an overall bounty of $175,000.

Rugby Australia Chief Executive, Phil Waugh says they have been working with the players’ association for some time and it’s pretty consistent with what they’ve done historically at World Cups.

Waugh says the deeper they go, the better the prize money is but it’s actually what impact that has on rugby back home that is most important rather than the financial side.

The Wallabies beat Georgia 35-15 in their first match of the World Cup last weekend and face Fiji on Monday at 3.45am.

Australia also have Wales and Portugal in their pool and are likely to face either Argentina or England in a quarter-final if things go their way.

Source: Sydney Morning Herald