Stalemate continues to grip Australian rugby talks as another day passes with no breakthrough
The stalemate between Rugby Australia and the players' association over wage negotiations continues, with the two parties failing to reach an agreement on Saturday.
RA powerbrokers including embattled chief executive Raelene Castle met with RUPA representatives to discuss the extent of players' pay reductions amid the suspension of Super Rugby because of the coronavirus pandemic.
But while no there was no resolution to the fortnight-long saga, the governing body emerged from dealings optimistic that a compromise could be reached before the end of Easter.
"Rugby Australia believes that progress was made and that both parties will continue negotiations in good faith for the good of the game," RA said in a statement.
"The meeting was finalised early this afternoon and both parties have gone away to consider their position in anticipation of talks continuing over the Easter weekend.
"Rugby Australia is doing everything it can to enable an outcome that will provide short-term financial certainty and enable the game to emerge from this global health and economic crisis and continue to serve the 900-plus rugby clubs in communities across the country."
Saturday's talks were postponed from Thursday due to an RA director being ill.
It's understood RA had asked the players to take a 65 per cent pay cut until the end of September, but that proposal was rejected by RUPA last week when Castle only accepted a 50 per cent reduction and other executives just a 30 per cent cut.
It's been reported that Castle has subsequently agreed to a further cut to match any reductions the players cop.
The cash-strapped governing body last week stood down 75 per cent of their non-player workforce, after announcing a $9.4 million loss in 2019.
- AAP
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There is a major story unfolding around Gleeson's bar in Booterstown, South Dublin City last night. Beaudy Barrett, DMac and Cody Taylor were there. DMac was supposed to be on the Guinness 0.0 but lets just say it didn't turn out that way.
Hours later, Dmac out cold, head on the table with a long stallagtite of flem and spittle rising and falling with his breathing. There is a video apparently.
The barman barred a staggering Taylor from any more Guinness but Taylor kept pushing past him, pulled a seat up to the Guinness tap and personally pulled himself pints, claiming it was 'celebrity pint pulls mate'.
One of these celebrity pint pulls made a local paper but it's only a matter of time before the real context comes out. Dmac is out of the team for Friday due to breaking 'internal standards', Sititi starting at 10.
Go to commentsNow that made me laugh bull!
I tell you what though, the head knock from Kriel on Hugh jones in the wc that didn’t result in any card was a real mystery with the way things are now.
Also suspect the Boks will be pretty well motivated by glasgows antics in stellenbosch last week and loftus in June…
Should be a cracker hopefully!
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