The stars of Australia’s women’s national rugby team have broken contracts in protest at Rugby Australia’s overspending as they accuse the game’s top brass of spending more money on the Wallabies WAGs than the Wallaroos players.
As the Matildas won the adoration of a nation on their historic run to the Women’s World Cup semi-finals that included record crowds, TV ratings and player paydays, the Wallaroos believe that they are forced to fight for the crumbs.
The flashpoint for the players was watching the wives and girlfriends of the Wallabies stars get into business class seats on their way to the Paris World Cup while the country’s players were forced to travel in economy class.
The Wallaroos have also been angered by Rugby Australia’s decision to shell out $1.6m a year for NRL talent Joseph Suaalii.
Players are also pushing for full-time contracts that were allegedly promised, but not delivered.
They also want more resources devoted to professional coaching after the Wallabies recently added former NRL player and assistant coach Jason Ryles to their swollen coaching ranks.
Former Wallaroos captain Grace Hamilton is one of many female stars involved in the protest against the huge gap in resources given to women’s football compared to men’s football.
The New South Wales Brumbies star (pictured centre) breached his contract in order to raise the issue
Statement released by ex-Hamilton and other stars blasts Rugby Australia
Former Wallaroos captain Grace Hamilton led the protest by posting “If you never stand up, nothing will ever change” on social media along with a statement on behalf of the players.
“You told us that flying anything beyond economy was too expensive. Then you flew Wallabies business class on a shorter trip than ours,” the letter reads.
“You told us full-time contracts were in the works, that there wasn’t enough money to keep the men in the game, let alone us. Then you paid $5 million to an NRL player.
“You said our program would go professional and our coach would be full time. How many coaches has Eddie brought to the World Cup? You continually say we don’t have enough resources and yet we’ve all seen the World Cup dispatch for the Wallabies.
“We’ve seen the impact women’s sport has had on the Australian sporting landscape, thanks to the @matildas. It’s time for the Chairman, Board and CEO to prioritize the future of women’s rugby Australian and to allocate adequate resources.
It’s time to recognize that we are not promoted equally, even on a free platform.
“The future of our games hangs in the balance. It’s your shot, Rugby Australia.
The Wallabies made a grand outing from Australia as they flew to Paris for the World Cup
The Wallaroos stars are furious that Rugby Australia is crying poor while spending $1.6million a year on rugby league player Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (pictured)
A comment on a since-deleted post from Rugby Australia apparently showing the WAG Wallabies being given preferential treatment for the flight to the Rugby World Cup
It comes after Rugby Australia released images of the Wallabies’ partners boarding the same plane for Paris.
Wallaroos star Georgie Friedrichs commented on the since-deleted post: “Rugby Australia…. @wallabies WAG get more funding than the Wallaroos team.”
Senior striker Sera Naiqama also lashed out against Rugby Australia, highlighting the disparity in travel arrangements between men and women.
“The reason it ruffles our feathers is because the treatment isn’t the same.” This post is purely salt in the wound for Wallaroos,’ she posted.
32 of us were selected for the World Cup last year but it was not offered to our partners?
“Before we attack, let’s not forget that in June the guys flew business class to South Africa, but we, their female equivalent, endured a 14-hour economy class flight to Canada less than 12 hours after our test against the Black Ferns.
“You deleted the message…but we kept the receipt.”
Hamilton’s post has received a lot of support from rugby fans.
‘Hot words are not enough. These girls are role models for the thousands of girls and women who love sports. RFU also show us that you are proud of the girls,” one replied.
“As the father of a child dreaming of donning a Wallaroo jersey, thank you @gracehamilton4_ for taking a stand and calling on @rugbyau to respond,” posted another.
Hamilton has shown she is one of Australia’s toughest players on the pitch – and now she’s showing her strength.
Wallaroos star Georgie Friedrichs also went public with his grievances against Rugby Australia
Another Wallaroos fan shared his disappointment with an experience with the women’s team.
“I was disgusted when my daughter came home from a meet and greet session with the Wallaroos with a bottle of Wallabies drink which had been signed by the players,” they posted.
“How does this instill confidence in our female rugby players that they will one day be recognized as equals in the sport?”
“My daughter ran onto the pitch with you @gracehamilton4_ during Brisbane’s game against the Silver Ferns this year and can’t stop talking about you and yearns to be like you – thank you for standing up for women’s equality in rugby.”
press company reported that Rugby Australia was aware of the players’ grievances and returned their contracts with sections highlighted showing they would be in breach for expressing their protest.
These sections set out rules on the sharing or dissemination of any material on social media that could harm the integrity of the game, Rugby AU, World Rugby or the Wallaroos team.
