Tension between Wallabies’ Izack Rodda and Queensland Reds Rugby Union coach Brad Thorne has resulted in one of the highest-paid players in Australian Rugby reviewing his options elsewhere. This news comes in the wake of reports that Rodda and his teammates Harry Hockings and Isaac Lucas have all been stood down because they wouldn’t accept a pay cut in the short-term.
The Queensland Rugby Union recently confirmed that the three players, who coincidentally all have the same manager, Anthony Picone, have been stood down. They refused to accept any reduction in salary and nominate themselves for the JobKeeper subsidy with the federal government.
The athletes were apparently unaware of the decision until just after the news broke on Monday 18 May at 9 am. A close source reveals that they were surprised by how much backlash they received over the next 24 hours. All three are said to be exploring their options legally and there may well be a courtroom showdown between Rugby Australia and the Reds coming up.
Sources in the know have stated that Hockings, Lucas, and Rodda are unhappy in the Reds and that Hockings and Lucas may well move to Japan. It’s understood, however, that Rodda is keen to just move to another franchise in Australia and this fact was registered with RA.
The players are all concerned with the financial viability of the game in our country and what their contracts will look like beyond 2020. There are also private concerns that the open market will be flooded soon and a mass exodus of AU athletes to international locations will commence.
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