Rugby League Players’ Association president Cameron Smith has indicated Australian stars would be willing to take a World Cup pay cut if it meant a fairer distribution of funds to lower-tier nations.
The Kangaroos skipper and his teammates stand to earn up to $60,000 apiece should they win the World Cup for an 11th time, while those representing minnow countries are earning just the $30 per day being given to competitors by the Rugby League International Federation which is overseeing the tournament, plus any prize money earned during the finals.
That gulf in pay equity comes to a head in Brisbane on tomorrow night when the cashed up Kangaroos take on the Vodafone Fiji Bati, following the Bati’s upset win over New Zealand last weekend.
The RLIF will pay $300,000 in prize money to the World Cup winning team, and $150,000 to the runner up. Losing semi-finalists receive $125,000 apiece, while vanquished quarter finalists are given $35,000.
The Bati takes on the Kangaroos at 10pm tomorrow.
