The Australian women’s squad has complained to Rugby Australia that they are not “promoted equally” to the men’s team.
A statement from the players was released on social media, reading, “You told us flying anything beyond economy was too costly. Then you flew the Wallabies business class on a trip shorter than ours.”
In response, Rugby Australia said: “We know we have a way to go. We are taking steps towards a fully professional future for the Wallaroos and investing more broadly in women’s rugby across national and community competitions.”
A now-deleted social media picture from Rugby Australia purported to show the wives and girlfriends of the men’s team members boarding a plane to France last week in preparation for the World Cup, which begins on September 8.
Sera Naiqama, an Australian forward, noted that this was “not offered to our partners” at the 2015 Women’s World Cup.
After that, she said, “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.”
Australia’s female players now only play on a part-time basis, but Rugby Australia has promised to change that by 2025.
The recruitment of rugby league player Joseph Suaalii on a reputed A$5m (£2.5m) contract and the 11 support personnel for the men’s side under head coach Eddie Jones are further sources of contention.
“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,” said the statement released by the women’s team. “Then you paid $5m 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?”
“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.”
“At a time women’s sport is shining in Australia, the reality isn’t the same for the Wallaroos,” Australia fly-half Arabella McKenzie wrote on Twitter.
In 2019, the Australian men’s and women’s national football teams came to an agreement to split revenue down the middle.
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