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Brad Thorn 'livid' as Reds trio consider their options following pay cut refusals

By Online Editors
(Photo by Teaukura Moetaua/Getty Images)

Reds head coach Brad Thorn is reportedly ‘livid’ at the three Reds players who have been stood down by the Queensland Rugby Union after refusing to take short-term pay cuts.

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Wallabies second rower Izack Rodda, emerging playmaker Isaac Lucas and young lock Harry Hockings, who all share the same agent, have opted against taking a competition-wide salary slash and register for the government’s JobKeeper subsidy.

The rejection to take such action comes at a time when rugby in Australia faces an uncertain financial future due to the coronavirus pandemic, with the game’s governing body in the country staring down the barrel of a $120m deficit for 2020.

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QRU boss David Hanham and RA director of rugby Scott Johnson address media

Queensland CEO David Hanham and Rugby Australia Director of Rugby Scott Johnson talks about the three players who were stood down in a pay dispute

Video Spacer

QRU boss David Hanham and RA director of rugby Scott Johnson address media

Queensland CEO David Hanham and Rugby Australia Director of Rugby Scott Johnson talks about the three players who were stood down in a pay dispute

According to a report from the Sydney Morning Herald, all three players – who played a big part in Thorn’s plans for the future – are unhappy at the Reds and are now considering their options elsewhere.

Lucas, signed until 2023, and Hockings, who is off contract next year, are believed to be pursuing deals in Japan, while 25-test Rodda wanted a move to another Australian franchise.

Rodda’s desire to make an inbound transfer comes after the 23-year-old revealed his disappointment in missing out on the Reds’ captaincy role this year, with Thorn instead handing the position to one-cap flanker Liam Wright.

“At first it was a pretty hard pill to swallow,” Rodda told AAP in January. “It left me questioning what else I had to do to get it … it’s hard to swallow your pride.”

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The Herald says that Rodda now has a “severely strained” relationship with Thorn, who is reportedly so angered by the trio’s decision to turn down the salary cuts that he hasn’t spoken to them since.

The pay cut deal brokered by Rugby Australia and the Rugby Union Players’ Association will see players lose around 60 percent of their income over six months in a much-needed cost-cutting measure.

Rodda, who the Herald reports is on a salary worth A$650,000, would have been eligible for a six-month sabbatical between 2021 and 2023 had he agreed to the pay slash as any player who stands to lose A$200,000 over the six month period, up until September 30, would qualify for the provision.

Instead, the experienced Wallaby could well take his talents abroad as he, as well as Lucas and Hockings, weigh up their legal options in a move that would put a dent in new Australia head coach Dave Rennie’s plans prior to his arrival in July.

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The Herald states that all three players are deeply concerned about the financial state of the sport in Australia and about their wellbeing of their contracts beyond this year as the economic implications of COVID-19 continue to wreak havoc worldwide.

“These situations are unprecedented, so everyone deals with the emotion of this in different ways. To be honest I think it’s a question for the players around their view of it,” QRU boss David Hanham said.

“They’ve obviously got their concerns. They’ve got a lot of mates here and they love playing rugby here. This is a global pandemic and clearly there are some things that are making them nervous.

“You come back to our values; with the team it’s about mateship, it’s about accountability, it’s about resilience, it’s about care for the cause. When you put your heart and soul into it, clearly people that are a part of that feel they want to be on that journey and others make a decision not to.”

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Trevor 2 hours ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

Thanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.

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B
Bull Shark 6 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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