Australia’s rugby players are looking for money in the wrong places

October 16, 2026 — 3:30pm

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The Rugby Union Players Association’s boss picked a bad time to ask for more money for the game’s stars.

A fortnight ago, RUPA’s chief executive Adrian Turner went public with his unhappiness with Rugby Australia over a new pay deal, and in particular the issue of the World Cup windfall.

The collective bargaining agreement between RUPA and RA expires on October 31, so time was of the essence. But public sympathy for the players’ cause likely plummeted after the Wallabies were thrashed 50-19 by the All Blacks at Eden Park last Saturday.

However, the real issue is RUPA’s misguided belief that this generation of players should benefit from the World Cup windfall just by virtue of being around when the tournament takes place.

“Rugby Australia proposes that players........

© The Sydney Morning Herald