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Watch: Rugby's top five richest players of 2017
By Peteso Cannon
In the summer haze of transfer speculation and talk of who is going where, we decided to take a look back at the big earners from the 2017 season. The figures will change when the new season commences, as will the clubs (indeed some already have).
The sums in the video aren't exactly shabby yet they pale in comparison to that of their football counterparts. Lionel Messi looks set to put pen to paper on a a new contract with FC Barcelona, a four year deal worth in the region of 30 million a year. Enough to make your eye's water, while wishing you had been better at kicking a ball of air around a field.
Anyway, that is more than enough talk about soccer. Falling just outside of the top five highest paid rugby players in descending order, starting at ten are, Manu Tuilagi (Leicester), Bryan Habana (Toulon), Charles Piutau (Ulster), Johnny Sexton (Leinster) and Ma'a Nonu (Toulon).
So without further ado here are your top five, one or two might even surprise some of you. One thing that won't surprise anyone is the nation where all five were plying their trade.
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Latest Comments
The New Zealand performance in the return fixture in 2016 was filthy. A lot of Irish supporters were pretty shocked by it, viewed it as de facto cheating just to avoid another defeat.
Also shocked by the abuse to Ireland, captain, vice-captain and spectators after the full time whistle in Paris defeat, last match.
Sledging is sledging, but that happens during the game and targetting spectators should be completely out of bounds.
The Irish public used to enjoy these matches, even in defeat. Now they are necessary but unpleasant, because NZ apparently cannot accept or respect successful challengers.
Go to commentsThanks for the analysis Nick, thought provoking as usual. Couple of queries though, in the pic where you've circled Williams bind , I'm pretty sure it shows Stuart's knee on the ground, surely that's a NZ penalty? Also having had the chance to watch it again the All Black scrum seeems to improve after halftime, but before either England or the All Blacks replace their props. Not sure if that was the result of Tuipolutu coming on or some halftime tips. Either way this is only Williams second international season, so he'll be better for the experience.
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