England coach Steve Borthwick has the full support of his bosses ahead of Sunday’s Nations Championship clash at Twickenham, while the Wallabies are embroiled in a pay row.
This week, RFU CEO Bill Sweeney gave Borthwick his unequivocal backing to lead England at the 2027 World Cup. Two months ago, the RFU extended Borthwick’s contract until after the 2028 Six Nations, even though this year England lost four out of five matches in a single championship for the first time.
England have lost five of their last seven Tests, but Sweeney insisted: “We’re committed to Steve. We believe in what he’s doing.
“We had a difficult Six Nations this year, we accept that, but we just want to see continued progress and we’re backing him to get that done.”
TEAM: Fin declared fit for England
For the Wallabies, veteran Kurtley Beale’s long wait to return to Test action goes on after he was left out of their match 23. The 37-year-old was a surprise addition to Australia’s touring squad after Hunter Paisami withdrew for personal reasons. Beale has played 95 Tests but his last was in 2021.
“Well, he’s in the squad, so he was in the selection mix for sure,” said Wallabies coach Les Kiss on Friday after naming his side to play England.
“Kurtley’s totally aware that he is in the picture. He’s not here as a passenger, that’s for sure,” added Kiss, who has selected Isaac Henry and Len Ikitau in midfield while keeping faith with Declan Meredith.
TEAM: McReight hits milestone for Wallabies
The visitors, however, have some off-field issues, with a pay row threatening to cause a bitter dispute ahead of the World Cup on Australian soil.
The Wallabies’ two most recent Tests, where they conceded a combined 93 points in a pair of heavy defeats by the All Blacks, were the last played under the previous collective bargaining agreement, struck between Rugby Australia and its players in 2023.
In April, RA declared “record operating surplus” of A$70-million (R794-million) only two years on from posting a A$37-million (R420-million) deficit.
RA is set to receive a fee of some A$100-million (R1.1-billion) from World Rugby for staging the 2027 World Cup.
But the underlying finances of Australian rugby remain precarious. They only get to host the British & Irish Lions once every 12 years and it may be much longer before Australia stages another World Cup after 2027.
Australian rugby union players are already paid considerably less than those in rugby league who play in the thriving NRL.
BOKS WARNED: Ireland can be ‘more ruthless’
Kiss insisted the issue was not proving a distraction to his squad.
“All I know is that they’re the right people in the room trying to find a solution, to find a win-win that can work and I’m just focused on getting the team right,” he said.
“I’ve got to say the boys, they don’t talk about it, they just focus on what the job is, which is pleasing.”
– AFP
Photo: David Rogers/Getty Images
The post Borthwick backed, Wallabies in pay dispute appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
England coach Steve Borthwick has the full support of his bosses ahead of Sunday’s Nations Championship clash at Twickenham, while the Wallabies are embroiled in a pay row.
The post Borthwick backed, Wallabies in pay dispute appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
