All Blacks icon Sonny Bill Williams has seemingly criticized Rugby Australia for offering a multi-million dollar contract to Eddie Jones while not increasing the pay of their own players.
The Wallabies created a stir in the rugby community by dismissing Dave Rennie and hiring Jones, who had been dismissed by England just a month prior.
Jones has reportedly signed a four-year deal with Rugby Australia, valued at $4.5 million, according to The Telegraph.
As of 2021, 4.5 million Australian dollars is equivalent to approximately 2.7 million British pounds. However, currency exchange rates fluctuate constantly, so this value may change.
“Eight months out from the World Cup … all the talk is of Mutli-Million [sic] dollar deals for new coaches … not much talk about the brothers on the field,” he tweeted.
“Rugby seems to be in a better financial position than first appeared…let’s hope these big bucks and this good business makes it to the players at all levels too,” he added.
Sir Clive Woodward England XV (Mail Online):
15. Freddie Steward
14. Ollie Hassell-Collins
13. Henry Slade
12. Manu Tuilagi
11. Cadan Murley