The Rugby Union Players Association in Australia has “called on World Rugby to pay a bonus to the winning team at the World Cup in England next year,” according to Bret Harris of THE AUSTRALIAN. RUPA has “just started negotiations” with the Australian Rugby Union for a World Cup bonus, but believes the world governing body, formerly known as the IRB, should “also provide incentives for successful teams” at the tournament. RUPA CEO Greg Harris said teams in other sports such as football and cricket received bonuses from the int’l body for achieving certain benchmarks. Harris: “The issue about World Cup bonuses really encapsulates a much broader situation and one which we don’t have control over in our negotiation with the ARU and that is World Cup bonuses should be paid by the Rugby World Cup. If you have a look at other benchmarks ... I know full well that the further you progress through the soccer World Cup the more money you receive from FIFA. In rugby they (national unions) get paid compensation for the fact that we have a restricted international program. Participating in the World Cup costs the ARU money.” He also said the RUPA’s demands for a World Cup bonus were “realistic” given the parlous state of the Australian rugby economy (THE AUSTRALIAN, 12/12).
