The Grubber: Covid-19 could have a devastating blow on world rugby
The Covid-19 pandemic is forcing unions and rugby governing bodies to potentially reshape the game.
The coronavirus pandemic has caused major interruptions in all sports and it could prove to be a devastating blow to rugby.
Rugby relies massively on television rights and with no rugby being played, there’s nothing to be televised and there’s serious money that all rugby unions are losing out on. Chairperson of World Rugby, Bill Beaumont hinted at the possibility of reshaping the global rugby calendar and “all potential activities dependent on the global COVID-19 situation.”
World Rugby will have a “relief fund of approximately US$100 million to assist unions through to the resumption of the sport, the strategy reflects World Rugby’s commitment to leading the sport through its greatest challenge and is a result of cross-game collaboration that has enabled key decisions to be taken in the spirit of solidarity and partnership,” said Beaumont,
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“The relief fund will available for unions requiring immediate emergency funding subject to appropriate criteria being met. It is designed to assist the maximum number of unions for the maximum amount of time while there is a rugby void,” he said.
He also mentioned the 6 Nations and SANZAAR in his plans. “For 6 Nations and SANZAAR unions, the financial package will involve a combination of advances and loans, while World Rugby is also committed to supporting emerging nations and regional associations where required,” said Beaumont.
The All Blacks have already taken a 50% pay cut as the New Zealand players’ association prepares for the worst case scenario, which is no rugby for the rest of the year. New Zealand Rugby and the players’ association agreed to put NZ$25 million (US$15 million), or 50 percent of the year’s remaining forecast player spend on hold.
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According to rugby journalist, Brenden Nel’s recent report on Afrikaans newspaper, Rapport, South African rugby players could face a 40% cut to their salaries. This is also based on the worst case scenario of no rugby being played for the rest of the year.
According to English publication, the Guardian, England rugby captain Owen Farrell is set to defer up to 90% of his annual salary for the next five months in order to help the Saracens survive this pandemic crisis. Maro Itoje and the Vunipola brothers among other top players at the club, have been asked to defer the majority of their wages until the start of next season which is scheduled for September.
It’s safe to say that the game could be forced to be reshaped for the foreseeable future. Not only will the finances of the sport be interrupted by this pandemic, but the obvious change will be the scheduling of tournaments, test matches and potentially resuming leagues. There have been rumours of South Africa having a domestic tournament to keep players fit for the international season. There’s also hopes of the Rugby Championship being played in Perth in a revised plan for the tournament. Whatever happens in the coming weeks, this pandemic could reshape the game as we know it.
Caxton Local Media Covid-19 reporting
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