The Rugby World Cup has not yet started that a scandal could break out in Australia. The women’s national team, overwhelmed by the inequalities and the lack of investment from which it suffers compared to its male counterpart, challenged the Australian National Federation (Rugby Australia), Sunday August 20 at the end of the day. In a coordinated action – almost all of the current players have posted the same statement on social media – the Wallaroos are asking the governing body to address their concerns.
The presence of the wives and girlfriends of Wallabies players – flown in on an all-expenses-paid airlift – to Sydney, Australia, to “say goodbye” to members of the men’s team, the last week before departing for the World Cup. world in France (September 8 – October 28), seems to have raised the ire of the players.
“You told us that any flight beyond economy class was too expensive. Then you made the Wallabies travel in business class for a shorter trip than ours, notably lamented the third line Kaitlan Leaney, on X (formerly Twitter). You keep saying we don’t have enough resources. »
The women’s selection – which plays very few matches between the World Cups except against the New Zealanders – was also offended by the fact that the Wallabies coach, Eddie Jones, has a plethoric staff made up of eleven assistants. The Wallaroos, quarter-finalists of the last World Cup organized in New Zealand in 2021, denounce the budget allocated to the men’s team, with however mixed results. To best prepare for the World Cup in France, Eddie Jones’ men were able to carry out training courses and a trip to northern Australia.
“You told us that full-time contracts were in the works, that there wasn’t enough money to keep the men in the game, let alone us,” the Wallaroos continue, unhappy to see their federation invest massively in the recruitment of Joseph Suaalii for the 2027 World Cup, which Australia is organizing.
“We know we still have a long way to go”
A rising star in the NRL – the interclub rugby league competition played in Australia and New Zealand – the 20-year-old wonderkid, who scored 17 tries in 27 games, became the highest-paid player in Rugby Australia history by accepting a contract of 5 million Australian dollars (about 3 million euros) last March.
The wave of support received by the women’s football team – the Matildas – semi-finalists of the World Cup which ended on Sunday, must be an example, argue the rugbywomen: “You said that our program would turn professional and that our coach would be full time. We have seen the impact women’s sport has had on the Australian sporting landscape. The future of our games hangs in the balance. It’s up to you. »
Without mentioning the points covered in the document, Rugby Australia admitted that it needed to do more for equality between players: “We will take steps towards a fully professional future for the Wallaroos and we will invest more extensively in the women’s rugby across national and local competitions and we know we still have a long way to go. »
In February, the federation announced that it would start signing part-time contracts with Wallaroos players. A first step towards a gradual increase in investments over the next five years.
Could this sling disrupt the last preparation match of their male counterparts, opposed Sunday August 27 to the XV of France (at 5:45 p.m.). Still, the World Cup organized in France does not start under the best auspices for Australia, while the Wallabies appear in a raised Pool C with Wales, Fiji, Georgia and Portugal.
