Backs dominate Top 10 Highest Paid Rugby Players list

The latest list of the world’s richest rugby players has been released with All Blacks flyhalf Dan Carter still king of the cash.

The top 10 earners are dominated by players appearing in the French Top 14 club scene.

According to the research, Carter is well clear in the No.1 position with his deal at Paris club Racing Metro whom he will join after the World Cup providing the bulk of his speculated earnings of $3,153,650.

Second on the list is Matt Giteau, who is about to come back into Wallabies contention, with $2,235,376 from his Toulon deal.

Johnny Sexton, the man who Carter is about to replace at Racing Metro is at No.5 with $1,577,571 as he gets set to head back to the Irish scene with Leinster.

Sam Burgess is the only British-based player in the mix.

The rugby league convert has done nicely with his switch of codes late last year, helping him to $1,596,732 in a deal between the Bath club and English union.

The list is a further signal of the challenges facing New Zealand rugby as the offshore riches continue to tempt the leading Kiwi players.

The All Blacks are facing an exodus of talent with players, young and old, looking to cash in after the World Cup winds up in October.

Highest Paid Rugby Players (Fijian Dollars)

• 1 Dan Carter (Racing Metro and New Zealand) $3,153,650
• 2 Matt Giteau (Toulon and Australia) $2,235,376
• 3 Leigh Halfpenny (Toulon and Wales) $1,912,980
• 4 Sam Burgess (Bath and England) $1,596,732
• 5 Johnny Sexton (Racing Metro and Ireland) $1,577,571
• 6 Bryan Habana (Toulon and South Africa) $1,511,214
• 7 Morgan Parra (Clermont and France) $1,390,063
• 8 Thierry Dusautoir (Toulouse and France) $1,300,548
• 9 Bakkies Botha (Toulon and South Africa) $1,240,173
• 10 Jamie Roberts (Racing Metro and Wales) $1,211,483

Source: stuff.com