RPA sets the record straight about alleged Premiership player strike
Damian Hopley has insisted players in England aren’t at loggerheads with their Gallagher Premiership clubs over the 25 per cent salary cuts implemented in recent weeks due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Rugby Players’ Association chief insisted it was in no-one’s best interests to cause rancour amid a crisis that will see a much-delayed finish to a season originally due to conclude with a showpiece Twickenham final on June 24.
Speaking to Jim Hamilton and Andy Goode on the latest edition of The Rugby Pod, the long-serving Hopley admitted the crisis that has brought rugby in England and around the world to a standstill initially caught his members on the hop. However, he insisted there is now unity among players who have accepted the reasons for the salary cuts, not the mutiny of potential strike action which was mentioned in some recent media reports.
“Players are accepting of cuts, it’s really important to reinforce that,” said Hopley. “It’s not deferment, it’s not as happened in other sports, this is actually ‘we recognise there is no money coming in’. The players by and large are accepting of the cuts.
“It’s not particularly pleasant but we all realise that everyone has to play their part… the bottom line is that when rugby is back on, everyone has got to start working together again and the last thing anyone wants to do now is burn bridges and get into all sorts of entrenched positions and fights because that is not going to serve anyone any purpose.
“So despite some media reports about revolutions and players being up in arms, of course there is distress around this very remarkable situation we are in but to say it is about revolution and turning us against clubs is simply not true.”
It was March 19, when Hopley chaired a meeting attended by player representatives from all the Premiership clubs, that the 25 per cent pay cut which has swept through the sport first emerged as it became known that Gloucester had already taken the decision to reduce payments. That revelation left the RPA chasing its tail, but there is now acceptance of the bigger picture which the need for the clubs in England to survive and not go to the wall.
“The clubs took the decision to make the pay cut so we have sort of been playing catch up ever since,” explained Hopley. “No one wants to see any clubs go bust. We all recognise the fantastic contribution owners have made and we have all benefited from it over the years in English club rugby, so the thought of the clubs going bust of the back of this is catastrophic for the sport.
“The advice we have given to players was just to buy a bit more time because coronavirus isn’t going away, this situation is not going away. Some people have taken this as a personal slight against them by the players, which it is absolutely not.
“It’s just saying, ‘Look, guys, let’s reserve our right to buy some time, let’s have some positive dialogue’. We are then introduced to that issue of furloughing which no one knew about until about a week later, so we were all trying to get up to speed on what that means for the clubs.
“Again, anything that brings money into the club environment when there is no discernible income has to be a good thing in terms of survival. A lot of it has just been about education, just trying to make sure the players are fully up to speed in the situation and just trying to create a positive dialogue.”
Further calls to Premiership Rugby and title sponsors Gallagher are now on Hopley’s diary for later this week, following on from Premiership Rugby’s statement on Wednesday that it will look to complete the current season but only when it is safe to do so.
“The word unprecedented has been bandied about and it’s fair to say we [RPA] have been flat out the last few weeks. We all recognise this is just the craziest time. What we have been trying to do is to make sense of all the issues around pay cuts, furloughing, all the different categories of players that are involved in the current economic freefall that is going on globally.
“There has been quite a bit of misinformation in terms of the media so we have been trying to bring the players up to speed on the rights, what the issues are, how we can help them and indeed get the better informed as to the current environment we are all suffering from across sport and in every single business in the world.
"It’s a lot more difficult for those lower paid players to stick their heads above the parapet because they might be judged for doing so."https://t.co/w5m6CkKwYw
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) March 27, 2020
“When you’re sitting on phone calls and talking to players about a sizeable chunk of income – in some cases this is more than 25 per cent – it’s a pretty grim conversation to be having. But some players have taken what I would call mature view and said if it means my club being saved and I have got a job at the end of the year then I’m actually willing to do that.
“That has been the really positive thing despite the initial shock. In terms of where are now from the initial shock, we have made some good progress but it really is a case of trying to understand when this will change and when we can get back to competitive rugby again. The players are champing at the bit to be plying their trade and playing rugby.
“The biggest issue now is when will the league return, when we will return to playing happen? No one can crystal ball that, no one can understand what will that looks like, when will players go back to full pay, all these things… there are big concerns.
“I hope we all get some external help because I would hate… it would be disastrous for the game if we lost clubs" @CoventryRugby boss @njperformanceuk fears the worst – writes @heagneyl ???https://t.co/W0CU4euLRu
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) March 29, 2020
“If we can’t conclude this season there are some massive financial holes that come with that. The interesting thing here is that it’s such a fast-moving environment and every day something new is being thrown up. The concern is that if this season doesn’t complete and money is called back from broadcast, sponsorship etc, that will have a catastrophic impact.
“That is one of the key messages… you try and be as positive as possible in our sport but you have got to paint the real picture. In talking to a number of club chief executive and owners who are pretty emotional in the current environment, there is a very real concern that some clubs might mot make it and that would be a disaster.
“That is the challenge now in the absence of any concrete return to play, return to training, return to full pay, return to turnstiles, it’s just quite hard at the moment to actually see where this will all end up. If nothing else we are all optimistic to try and work through this. We talk a lot about the collective, after what was a tricky start in all of this. We are trying to make amends and move forward as an entire game.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Sorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
1 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
2 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
2 Go to commentsIt’s the massive value he brings with regard team culture/values, preparation, etc. Can’t buy that. I’m hoping to see the young locks get their chance in the big games though.
10 Go to commentsAll good, Gregor, except that you neglected to mention Sam Darry amongst that talented pool of locks. In fact, given Hannah’s inexperience and the fact that Holland won’t be eligible until next year, Lord and Darry might be the frontrunners this year, to join Barrett, Tuipoluto, Va’ii and possibly Whitelock. In fact there might be room for all of them if Barrett played 6 (like Ollie Chessum).
10 Go to commentsHis value is stabilizing the ship 20 - 40 minutes out from the final whistle plus his valuable experience to the underlings coming through.
10 Go to commentsWhat is criminal is she acts like it's no problem her actions have have cause the Italian player to lose her playing career, lose salary, if she did this in day to day life she would be in jail, she is a complete thug!!!
3 Go to commentsCorrect me if i’m wrong but the sadas have to win all games running into the finals yeh nah?
1 Go to commentsDon’t like Diamond but the maul is a joke, the sight of a choke tackle creating a maul then players in offside positions flopping on it killing the ball but then getting the put in? Banal.
3 Go to commentsHopefully Tabai Matson returns to Crusaders as head coach next season.
1 Go to commentsstorm in a teacup really. Penalty only so play on as the try was scored. Now the real question is: why was Maitland allowed to pass the ball off the floor? That is illegal but refs never pick it up.
1 Go to commentsWhen Beauden Barrett signed his contract before the 2023 RWC to play in Japan in 2024, it was NOT part of a sabbatical agreed to with NZRU prior to his signing, as was Ardie Savea and Sam Cane. Barrett changed his mind after the fact and negotiated his return to NZ Rugby and he was given permission to be eligible for All Black selection straight away once he signed a new contract to return to the Blues in 2025. Therefore, why would anyone argue against Whitelock returning to the All Blacks straight away after his season is France is finished if he signs a new contract with NZRU which includes a Super Rugby contract in 2025? If Barrett can, Whitelock should be allowed too.
10 Go to commentsThe All Blacks will select 5 locks this season. Scott Robertson will most likely want to select 2 veteran locks who can start right away in 2024 and 3 young promising locks who he would like to be pushing hard for selection in the starting XV in two years time- 2026. Scott Barrett is a world class lock. Who would you rather start beside him this season against England, South Africa, Ireland, and France- Sam Whitelock or Patrick Tuipulotu? I would choose Whitelock over Tuipulotu all day, every day.
10 Go to comments