REPORTS | Wallabies star stood down for refusing pay cut

bySteven Smith

Australia could lose test lock Izack Rodda to an overseas club in a pay cut mutiny.

Rodda, full-back Isaac Lucas and lock Harry Hockings were stood down by the Reds following discussions with the players and their agent, the Super Rugby club said on Monday.

"Unfortunately, we have had to take the decision to stand down three of our players," said Queensland Rugby Union chief executive David Hanham.

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"Given the recent negotiated player-payment reduction agreement, this was not a situation the QRU had expected to face."

Rugby Australia and the players association negotiated average wage cuts of 60 per cent, which in Rodda's case meant losing around $100,000 over six months.

He and Hockings are said to be looking at overseas contracts. Rodda is contracted with RA until 2023 but under the wage cut deal some players are allowed to look elsewhere. Lucas has a long-term Reds deal while Hockings is off contract soon.

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According to RUCK sources, Rodda was in advanced negotiations with London Irish over a possible move last year before opting to stay with the Reds.

Another club in the market for an international second-row is Leicester Tigers with Geordan Murphy revealing this week they were close to signing one.

“We actually are in the process of finalising someone in that position and we will release that when we are ready, hopefully early next week.” said the Leicester boss.

LIST | 5 hilarious Jason Leonard stories

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England legend Jason Leonard has told many great stories down the years.

Here are some of our favourites.

1. 'I didn't do it'

Just before we headed out to the 1995 World Cup in South Africa, all the players agreed on a booze ban when coach Jack Rowell discovered that someone had come in at 2am. He accused me at training the next day and I flatly denied it. As I told Martin Bayfield standing next to me: "It couldn't have been me Bayf - I didn't get in until 4am." Poor Bayf just burst out laughing.

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2. Origins of Fun Bus

Coming back from injury, Leonard was called up for an England tour to South Africa 1993 despite putting on a bit of weight. We had these big cotton shirts, which were bright red and looked skin tight on me. Martin Bayfield, because of my London accent and the red shirt, thought I looked like a big red bus, hense 'fun bus'.

3. Argentina tour

Extract from Jason Leonard's autobiogaphy.

4. His funniest stories

In this video, he picks a couple involving Australasia's Prime Minister and the late, great Nelson Mandela.

Jason Leonard's funniest moments in Rugby from Rugby Business Network on Vimeo.

5. 28 pints

Prop Jason Leonard noted that he had 28 pints of lager and when the astounded, part-time nutritionist asked just exactly he was up to each week to consume 28 pints, he was met with a confused look. "That's 28 pints on the Saturday and eight to settle the head on Sunday," Leonard replied.

Jason Leonard’s Drinking XV | Legend picks his top boozers

England legend Jason Leonard has picked his drinking XV of players from down the years that he'd want with him for long sessions and it's brilliant.

Although he did make sure to pick a designated driver, which we say is VERY sensible.

Gavin Hastings (Full-back, Scotland)

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Rory Underwood (Wing and designated driver, England)
Jerry Guscott (Centre, England)

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Scott Gibbs (Centre, Wales)
Scott Hastings (Wing, Scotland)
Stuart Barnes (Outside-half, England)
Robert Jones (Scrum-half, Wales. Replaced at half-time by Dewi Morris, England)

Paul Rendall (Prop, England)
Brian Moore (Hooker, England)

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Jeff Probyn (Prop, England)
Wade Dooley (Lock, England)
Norm Hadley (Lock, Canada)
Peter Winterbottom (Flanker, England)
Dean Richards (No8, England)