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World 12s: Star players in line to pocket in excess of £250,000
World 12s have upped the ante regarding their newly planned tournament by announcing that players can earn an average salary of £90,000 each next August in London, with the stars potential pocking in excess of £250,000. The event has already been disparaged by World Rugby, who issued a statement last month claiming there was no appetite amongst clubs – including those in England and France – to release their players.
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“The game’s major stakeholders welcome innovative thinking that has the potential to enhance the sport, and new concepts are always given full consideration,” said a World Rugby spokesperson at the time.
“World Rugby has reflected the views of national unions, international and domestic competitions to the group proposing World 12s and confirmed that stakeholders do not wish to explore the concept further at this time. This is a position endorsed by the World Rugby executive committee and professional game committee, which includes representatives from across the elite men’s and women’s game.”
However, organisers of the World 12s have continued their planning and have now revealed how much money is on offer to players in the remuneration packages they unveiled on Thursday.
A statement read: “Twenty-four players from tier one and developing nations will each form one of eight franchises, with rugby’s first-ever player auction planned for spring 2022. An overall salary cap of £2.15million in year one, alongside the starting salaries for category A players, means it is highly likely some of the leading international players could achieve in excess of £250k for their participation in the three-week tournament.
A confusing development… #World12s
https://t.co/sU7Src0UHH— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 27, 2021
“In line with the tournament’s aim to be revolutionary and provide tangible benefits on and off the pitch to the players involved, the players themselves will select their own base price for the player’s auction. Each player will enter the band which represents the minimum salary they would be willing to accept in the player auction. There is no ceiling on what franchises can bid for players.
“However, each franchise will have a £2.15m salary cap when assembling their whole squad. Based on the salary cap, the average player salary will be approximately £90,000 for each franchise. Franchise owners will bid for the individual players they want with bidding starting at the relevant base price.
- Category A players: Base price of £125,000
- Category B players: Base price of £90,000
- Category C players: Base price of £70,000
- Category D players: Base price of £45,000
- Category E players: Base price of £20,000
- Category F players: Base price of £10,000
“In addition to the player salary, the top three teams at the end of the tournament will also win a share of the £1,000,000 price pot. Clubs and unions releasing players for the tournament will receive an additional fee.”
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World 12s CEO Rowena Samarasinhe said: “In response to the high interest we have received from potential franchise owners, and from over 500 current players from around the world, we are delighted to confirm the starting base salary structure for our inaugural tournament which we are planning to stage in the UK next August. From the beginning of this process, World 12s has stressed that we believe this tournament will complement the existing XVs game.
“It aims to help provide the players, clubs and unions with financial reward for their participation, as well as broader development benefits. The figures announced today are starting prices for the auction, and the players themselves will have the power to determine their base price, and at which level they enter the auction.”
“In addition to the financial rewards, the feedback we have had from players at all levels around the world, past and present, is that one of the most attractive benefits of this tournament is the chance to play alongside players from around the world, and be coached by one of the world’s leading coaches.”
The salary cap for each franchise is expected to grow in line with future tournament growth. All eight franchises must also include a minimum of two international U20 players and will choose from a pool of players from tier one nations as well as developing nations to further aid player development.
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All you need to know about the new tournament planned for England in August 2022, including…
🚨 12 players in a team – six forwards and six backs,
🚨 15-minute halves,
🚨 Conversions will be drop goals only,
🚨 Auction picked squads… and much more!
https://t.co/D0iOOyXH5q— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) September 7, 2021
Comments on RugbyPass
Good summation Ned. Agree the Canes were out-muscled for once (except at the scrum!) by a focused Brumbies outfit. Tua deserves consideration for higher honors after the way he humbled Jordie and the Canes defense. Thankfully, his lack of eligibility for Oz keeps him from Joe’s plans. While I also agree the injuries affected the Canes performance, some players seemed to lack focus and intensity for this match. Perhaps after the Blues demolished the Brumbies, they thought it was going to be easy? A good reminder that any slip up in preparation can have a big affect on the result. Brumbies deserved that win.
1 Go to commentsKarl Dixon should never have been appointed this fixture, absolute disgrace, He’s not much of a referee anyway, didn't have the balls to send his mate care off
5 Go to commentsBrilliant article! Harry of 8/9
1 Go to comments‘UK athletes' have been in the NFL from the start.
1 Go to commentsIt’s going to be Scott Barrett. He’s the coaches mate and captain of a previously elite team. Ardie a great option but scooter has worked with the coach and Ardie still as big a leader as needed.
23 Go to commentsI commend Colin Scotts bio All Balls. He was the first Aussie to make it to NFL. But he was poached and did a full apprenticeship at the University of Hawaii. He was 130kgs surfed played 1st grade cricket etc. big guy by normal but not NFL standards and a top athlete. Even then the nfl were picking up Tongans and Samoans for their natural size and explosive power. They want explosive power not cardio from the big boys so a guy like Taniela Tupou would have been good if picked up young enough. He has fast twitch and they’d bulk the little lad up and give him something to do. soccer teams set up academies and look for Over Sara’s talent eg Messi was at Barcelona since a teenager and harry kewell went to Leeds as a teenager like 16 or something.
11 Go to commentsThe article alludes to the fact that this isn’t about picking a captain. But picking a great captain. So who would make for a great All Black captain - not just an obvious or safe shoo-in? I’m not sure Ardie’s the guy and Barret doesn’t stand out either.
23 Go to commentsI guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
45 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
5 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
45 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to commentsIt is pretty clear that by almost any measure that NZ are a more successful rugby nation than South Africa. Quite aside from the distasteful events during the last RWC final. NZ lead SA in all significant measurements.
45 Go to commentsDickson went to his pocket for a card, saw who it was, changed his mind and spoke at length to TMO. One angle clearly shows Care diving over a Saints player to kill the ball. 1st yellow, reason given for not Red was player was falling backwards. He was only falling backwards after contact with Lawes. Graham try should have stood. Mitchell did not have both hands on the ball, ball went forward from a Saints boot dragging over it. 2 intentional knock-on's. One of which had an overlap on the outside. If Quins are happy to win by intentional foul play, then it does not say much for them. Would appear to be a bad day for Karl Dickson, also for the RFU in appointing a Ref who spent 8 years as a player at one of the clubs.
5 Go to commentsLet’s not forget about Ardie Savea just yet.
8 Go to commentsThe URC and the Euro Championscup can’t run at the same time, basically dilutes both competitions.
2 Go to comments“While Sotutu should start at No.8 for the All Blacks against England, but it’s only in that arena that he can prove just how good he really is.” And that my friends is where simply hasnt shone despite multiple opportunities. Even in this performance you can see what did him in in the test arena..he almost always still runs at the opposition almost ramrod upright making him easier to stop than it should be.
8 Go to commentsShould have been 0-0 and a message from SR CEO to both teams - “don’t worry about turning up next year”.
5 Go to comments