Wallabies lock among Reds trio stood down after refusing to take pay cuts
Wallabies lock Izack Rodda and Queensland Reds teammates Isaac Lucas and Harry Hockings could be lost to Australian rugby after they were stood down for refusing to agree to the competition-wide player pay-cut proposal.
Australian Super Rugby players agreed to an average 60 per cent salary hit after the competition was paused – and Rugby Australia’s brittle financial state was revealed – because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Reds returned to training on Monday but did so without the trio, who through their shared agent Anthony Picone notified RA they would not accept the salary hit or register for the government’s JobKeeper subsidy.
Queensland Rugby Union boss David Hanham hoped, after about 10 days of back and forth, the dispute would be resolved this week.
He said until last Friday the trio – all considered key pieces in Brad Thorns’ Reds revival – had been paid in full.
That’s despite staff and players taking drastic pay cuts to lower costs, with many working long hours despite being reduced to JobKeeper payments since the competition was halted in March.
“It was a surprise and that’s where the disappointment really comes from,” Hanham said.
“You come back to our values; it’s about mateship, accountability, resilience, care for the cause.”
Rodda and Lucas are both signed on RA top-up contracts to the Reds until 2023, while Hockings is off contract this season but a player on the rise and in talks for a similar deal.
“When you put a lot of time and effort into your players at a young age there’s a lot of blood, sweat and tears that go into it,” Hanham said.
“They’re good young men and clearly part of our long-term plans.”
Picone also represents former Reds captain Samu Kerevi, who left for Japan club rugby last season in another messy split that frustrated the Ballymore-based club.
RA’s director of rugby Scott Johnson was reluctant to forecast another ugly legal battle for RA and, unsure how the stand-down would impact their contracts. He hoped the trio would reconsider their stance.
“It’s three guys … the majority (of players) are on board … their next steps are their steps,” he said.
“From a rugby perspective it’d just be nice to be talking about rugby; it detracts from that and that’s what I find frustrating.
“They’re three guys of national interest; two (Lucas and Rodda) we signed long contracts (with RA and the Reds) for and the third (Hockings) we had an offer on table for extensive period.
“It’s disappointing because they’re front of mind when it comes to the bigger picture.”
Comments on RugbyPass
100% agree with your comment about Touch. I’ve been playing it competitively since Covid. It’s on a Wednesday night after work. It means the weekend is free for time with my family.
1 Go to commentsRodda back is massively important for the Wallabies. Kaitu at hooker important too coz he was very good a few years ago.
1 Go to commentsThe pink cabous might be eligible this year and the Boks don’t need him
7 Go to commentsNasser and kaitu are options for hooker. Especially Nasser. You forgot Rodda who touch wood will be fit at test time and if fit he’s number one. Great partner for the great Skelton and Oz best lineout caller. Third best lock is LSL whom I’d be inclined to sub on for Skelton around 60 minutes. Probably start valetini at 8 because I like a big body back there. Cale should play 6 at the brumbies. For Wallabies definitely cale in the squad but as an apprentice. Dunno who starts at 6 seru wright Swinton hanigan with Will Harris and Harry Wilson not far away. Seru and Swinton my front runners but Swinton is going. Still if we don’t cap seru then Fiji must coz they need his lineout skills and easily compensate for his lack of weight
7 Go to commentsYeah but who was it?
8 Go to commentsThink you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
7 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
12 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
7 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
8 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
8 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
12 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
12 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
7 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
8 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
12 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
12 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
7 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
7 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
12 Go to comments