It’s fair to say that some of the world’s best rugby players hail from New Zealand. And the best of these players, the crème de la crème, go on to play for the All Blacks, which is the New Zealand national rugby team.
But, a question many ask is how much does an All Black actually get paid? Bearing in mind they are considered to be the elite.
The answer to the question is, in some ways, simple from the outside looking in, with All Blacks said to earn $1 million NZD per year on average. But it’s not as straightforward as that, as All Blacks collect a payment based on every week they’re with the team. Per week, the standard earnings for an All Black is $7,500 NZD, and they will collect this payment whether they play or not.
It’s also worth mentioning that all contracts with players are in agreement with New Zealand Rugby, so there is the potential for movement in earnings.
What Is The Average Salary An All Black Collects?
New Zealand Rugby, as an organisation, handles the salaries of the All Blacks and Super League players. The player’s contract, a pact between the player and New Zealand Rugby, may differ, but the usual salary range is said to be from $70,000 NZD to $200,000 NZD.
Notably, if a player sustains an injury, a typical occurrence in the game, there are reserves ready to step in. These players, if drafted in, are usually done so with a minimum fee of around $50,000 NZD in place. But again, this fee can be negotiated.
Who Is The Highest-Paid All Black?
Charles Piutau might not be on the All Blacks team now, but he’s the top earner from playing internationally for New Zealand. From 2013 to 2015, Piutau took to the field for the All Blacks a total of seventeen times. He’s believed to have signed a deal worth over $2 million NZD per season during his time with the team.
What Do Players Earn In New Zealand Club Rugby?
As you will expect, and as seen in other sports, the wages a player can earn while playing New Zealand club rugby are going to vary for a multitude of reasons.
Players who have just made the breakthrough into the senior ranks aren’t going to collect the same salary as players who are in their prime, for example. Usually, players who are playing regularly and doing well will see the amount they earn rise in tandem with the progress they’re making and in relation to their performances.
Furthermore, getting to a good stage in their career will also open the door to sponsorships, brand deals and endorsements too, which can all prove lucrative.
Super League Salaries
Typically, Super League players begin with a basic earning rate of $50,000 NZD annually. This starting amount has the potential to raise up to $200,000 NZD over time.
Super League salaries are almost like a journey: you hit the ground at $50,000 NZD and you peak between $75,000 NZD to $200,000 NZD. This is likely to then dip as a player’s career nears its end.
Mitre Cup Salaries
Taking its place among New Zealand’s top domestic rugby championships, the Mitre Cup has been a staple since 2006. This competition brings together the top fourteen rugby union teams.
For wages, there’s often bargaining; however, on average, a player may earn anything between $18,000 NZD and $60,000 NZD.
New Zealand Rugby League vs Rugby Union
In New Zealand, Rugby League and Rugby Union are both popular, and the significant difference in terms of earnings is how they’re racked up. As explained above, in Rugby League, contracts are agreed upon with base-level earnings. On the other hand, over in Rugby Union, it’s more of a case of earning per match.
So, there are naturally positives that come with both. In Rugby League, players have that security of effectively knowing roughly how much they’re going to earn across the course of the season at both club and international levels. But you could also suggest that they’re tied in, and the money is what it is.
In Rugby Union, you don’t necessarily have that security that a contract in Rugby League provides, but you do have the potential to earn more. A player could, on average, have a contract in Rugby League worth $75,000 NZD a year, whereas in Rugby Union, there’s the potential to earn considerably more.
How Do The Wages In New Zealand Compare With Other Countries?
Wondering about an All Black’s salary compared to other countries’ players? The answer might be unexpected. Many think that thanks to the team’s fame, All Blacks earn more. However, it’s not that straightforward.
For example, players representing England will collect a larger basic wage from the get-go, and they can go on to earn as much as $230,000 NZD on average. France blows this number out of the water, as they pay their players even more, with a reported average salary worth $460,000 NZD.
Bet On New Zealand Rugby With BetVictor
As a leading sports betting service provider, BetVictor has dedicated coverage of all rugby competitions on its platform. It caters to rugby in New Zealand, with BetVictor having a bespoke sportsbook operating within the country. Of course, players can also follow the action as it unfolds on the pitch with our live betting options!
At BetVictor New Zealand, you will be able to find all international and club rugby covered in-depth, with Rugby League odds and Rugby Union odds accessible via smartphone, desktop and tablet devices.
For Rugby League, you will find betting markets for the Super League and for Rugby Union, the Super Rugby Pacific, for example. The betting options include match winner and try-scorer markets, alongside a selection of handicaps!
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