It is a great honor for a rugby player to be called upon to play for their country’s rugby team. In countries where rugby is worshipped, like New Zealand, South Africa, England, and more, rugby players do not hesitate to play for their country on the international stage, even if the pay is not that high.
International rugby players playing for their home country are usually paid a fixed match fee. The fixed match fee ranges from $5,500- $16,000 USD per player. However, not all international teams operate this way. Rugby players make most of their money through contracts with clubs and sponsorship deals.
Most people familiar with the sport of rugby know that, though the sport has massive followings in certain countries, rugby players do not make exuberant amounts of money, safe for the big rugby stars that play for countries that worship rugby. So how much do international rugby players get paid worldwide?
How Much Do International Rugby Players Make Worldwide?
First and foremost, note that team’s and player’s salaries are not always public information. Thus, some of the player earnings mentioned in this article are only estimates based on rumors and journalists’ best sources.
Depending on the country, rugby players are compensated differently across the globe when called upon to play for their country’s national team.
Most of the time, rugby players competing on the international stage are paid per game. Players are paid for showing up to the game and can also be compensated with bonuses for a successful performance.
Fixed match earnings range from country to country. A fixed match fee is money paid to players competing for their country in a single game.
Below is a table displaying the best estimates of each player’s earnings when playing for some major international rugby teams. As you can see, fixed match earnings can range significantly and excludes win bonuses.
International Rugby Player Earnings Per Match Compared
| Country | Local Currency | US Dollars |
| Australia | 10,000 AUD | $6,500 USD |
| England | 15,000 GBP | $17,000 USD |
| France | 12,000 EUR | $11,930 USD |
| Ireland | 7,000 EUR | $6,960 USD |
| South Africa | 6,000 USD | $6,000 USD |
| Wales | 5,500 GBP | $6,260 USD |
| New Zealand | 7,500 NZD | $6,500 USD |
| Scotland | 5,500 GBP | $4,290 USD |
It is important to note that fixed match fees can increase based on the game’s importance. Players are generally paid less for test matches compared to world cup game matches. The bonuses for winning important matches, such as World Cup final stages, can significantly exceed the test fixed match fees.
South Africa is the current world rugby champion. It is estimated that each South African received
$70,000 from the South Africa Rugby Union (as bonuses) for winning the final matches of the 2019 world cup.
Also checkout: How much does a rugby player earn in the UK?
International Rugby Pay Versus Club Rugby Pay
Though it is a great honor for rugby players to play for their home country, fixed match earnings are not as financially rewarding as club contracts for rugby stars. Rugby players in high demand worldwide have the luxury of negotiating deals with clubs that earn them significantly more than what they are paid when playing for their country’s national team.
For instance, famous players like Handre Pollard, Owen Farrel, and Beauden Barret have deals with their respective clubs that earn them more than $800 000 a year, excluding bonuses. Those club salaries earn them much more than playing for their respective countries.
However, the reality is that not every rugby player can score a big deal with a club. For instance, low-valued players playing for a South African rugby club who earn the designated minimum wage of R35000 per month ($2000) make less in a month than a player playing a single game in the South African National Team.
There is a big discrepancy between players at the top of their game and those climbing up the ranks.
Suggested reading: Why Are Rugby Players Paid So Little?
How Do Rugby Players Earn Their Money?
Rugby athletes have different sources of income, which can also range between countries. Generally, rugby players playing for high-profile clubs and on the international stage have the following sources of revenue:
- Monthly wage from club/franchise
- Bonuses for wins/performance with a club/franchise
- Endorsements and Sponsorships
- Playing international rugby matches
- Bonuses from World Cup wins
- Termination payments
Based on a player’s popularity, the importance of each income stream can vary. Some players make more money from brand endorsements than the sport itself.
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Who Are The Top 10 Highest Paid Rugby Players?
Though rugby is not known for being a high-paying sport, rugby’s top-earning athletes do not have to worry about their financial situations.
This list of the highest earning rugby players is based only on their current club contracts, as the information concerning sponsorship pay and endorsement deals is not public. Most players on this list play for European clubs, as this is where big money is in rugby.
10. Owen Farrell Earns Around $810,000 Yearly
Owen Farrell is a rugby superstar who plays for England. He has been the team captain several times and led them to the rugby world cup final in 2019. His contract with the Saracens, an English rugby club, earns him about $850000 yearly.
9. Michael Hooper Makes About $810,000 Per Year
Michael Hooper is an experienced Australian rugby player who has been captain of the Wallabies for many matches. He is currently the highest-paid Australian rugby player, making $850 000 a year.
8. Beauden Barrett Gets Paid Around $850,000 Yearly
The All-Blacks superstar and one of the world’s best rugby player’s current contracts earn him $850 000 a year.
7. Virimi Vakatawa Earns Around $850,000 A Year
Virimi Vakatawa is one of the youngest players on this list. Despite being born in New Zealand and raised in Fiji, Vakatawa plays for France internationally and is currently enlisted with Racing 92. He makes about $850 000 A Year.
6. Maro Itoje Makes About $865,000 Yearly
Maro Itoje is currently the highest-paid English rugby player. Alongside Owen Farrell, he plays for the Saracens and English national team, where he has seen much success. He earns $865 000 a year.
5. Cheslin Kolbe Gets Paid Around $920,000 Per Year
One of the stars of the latest Rugby World Cup, which saw South Africa lift the trophy, Cheslin Kolbe currently plays for the famous French club, Toulon, where his contract earns him $920 000 a year.
4. Finn Russell Earns Around $920,000 Yearly
The loveable Scottish player currently plays for Racing 92. His $920 000 contract makes him the highest-paid British rugby player.
3. Eben Etzebeth Makes About $975,000 A Year
The feared South African giant plays for Toulon alongside his compatriot Cheslin Kolbe. The South African forward earns $975 000 a year playing for the French club.
2. Charles Piutau Earns About $1,100,000 A Year
The former All Blacks player, now looking to play for Tonga, earns $1 100 000 a year playing for the Bristol Bear, an English Club. He is tied with another player as the highest-paid rugby player in the world.
1. Handre Pollard Makes Around $1,100,000 Per Year
Handre Pollard sits, together with Charles Piutau as the highest earning rugby player in the world. The 2019 world cup champion currently earns $1 100 000 a year playing for Montpellier in France.
International rugby players get a fixed match fee which differs from country to country. Playing international matches wearing their country’s jersey is not the main source of income for successful rugby players. Club deals, sponsorships, and brand endorsements are usually a rugby player’s main source of revenue.
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Image credits
South African international rugby union footballer Handré Pollard kicking a conversion during 2015 Rugby World Cup game between South Africa and the United States played at the Olympic Stadium in London. 7th October, 2015. David Roberts from London, United Kingdom, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
