Why the Wallaroos are fuming about a post from a Wallabies WAG on her way to France
The stars of Australia’s national women’s rugby team have breached their contracts to protest excessive spending by Rugby Australia as they accuse the game’s top brass of splashing more cash on Wallabies WAGs than the Wallaroos players.
While the Matildas earned the adoration of a nation in their historic run to the Women’s World Cup semi-finals that included record crowds, television ratings and pay days for the players, the Wallaroos believe they are forced to fight for scraps.
The flashpoint for the women players was watching the wives and girlfriends of Wallabies stars ushered into business-class seating for journey to the Paris World Cup while the country’s female players have been forced to fly economy.
The Wallaroos have also been angered by the decision by Rugby Australia to splash $1.6million a year for NRL talent Joseph Sua’ali’i.
The players are also lobbying for fulltime 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 bloated coaching ranks.
Former Wallaroos captain Grace Hamilton is one of many female stars involved in the protest against the huge gulf between resources given to the women’s game compared to the men’s
Former Wallaroos captain Grace Hamilton has led the protest, posting ‘If you never stand up, nothing will ever change’ to social media with a statement on behalf of the players.
‘You told us flying anything beyond economy was too costly. Then you flew the Wallabies business class on a trip shorter than ours,’ the letter reads.
‘You told us full-time contracts were in the pipeline, that there wasn’t enough money to keep the Men in the game, let alone us. Then you paid $5million for an NRL player.
‘You said our program would go professional, and our coach would be full-time. How many coaches has Eddie taken to the World Cup? You continually say we don’t have enough resources and yet we all saw the World Cup send off for the Wallabies.
‘We’ve seen the impact that Women’s sport has had on the Australian sporting landscape, thanks to the @matildas. It’s time for the chairman, board, and CEO to prioritise the future of Australian Women’s Rugby and allocate adequate resources.
It’s time to acknowledge that we are not promoted equally, even on a free platform.
‘The future of our games hangs in the balance. It’s your move, Rugby Australia.’
The New South Wales Brumbies star (pictured centre) has breached her contract in order to raise the issue
The Wallabies made a grand exit from Australia as they flew to Paris for the World Cup
Wallaroos stars are incensed that Rugby Australia is crying poor while splashing $1.6million a year on rugby league player Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (pictured)
It comes after Rugby Australia posted footage of the Wallabies’ partners boarding the same plane to Paris.
Wallaroos star Georgie Friedrichs commented on the since-deleted post: ‘Rugby Australia …. @wallabies WAGs getting more funding than the Wallaroos team.’
Senior forward Sera Naiqama has also lashed out at Rugby Australia, pointing to the disparity in travel arrangements between the men and women.
‘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 selected for World Cup last year but this wasn’t offered to our partners?
‘Before you attack, let’s not forget in June the lads flew business class to South Africa yet we, their female equivalent, endured a 14-hour flight in economy to Canada less than 12 hours after our test against the Black Ferns.
‘You deleted the post … but we kept the receipt.’
Hamilton’s post has received plenty of support from rugby fans.
‘Lip service is not enough . These girls are role models for the thousands of young girls and women that love the sport . RFU show us your proud of the girls too,’ one replied.
‘As a father with a child dreaming of pulling on a Wallaroo jersey i thank you @gracehamilton4_ for taking a stand and call on @rugbyau to respond,’ posted another.
Hamilton has shown she is one of Australia’s toughest players on the field – and now she is showing her strength off it
Wallaroos star Georgie Friedrichs has also posted her grievances against Rugby Australia publicly
Another Wallaroos fan shared their disappointment at an experience with the women’s team.
‘I was disgusted when my daughter came home from a Wallaroos meet and greet session with a Wallabies drink bottle that had been signed by the players,’ they posted.
‘How does that instill confidence in our female rugby players that they will ever be recognised as equals in this sport?
‘My daughter ran onto the field with you @gracehamilton4_ at the Brisbane match against the Silver Ferns this year and can’t stop talking about you and aspires to be just like you – thank you for standing up for equality for Women in Rugby.’
News Corp has reported that Rugby Australia was aware of the female players’ grievances and sent them back their contracts with sections highlighted showing that they would be in breach for voicing their protest.
These sections lay out rules on the sharing or broadcasting of any material on social media that could harm the game’s integrity, Rugby AU, World Rugby, or the Wallaroos team.