An elite group of All Blacks are in line to join the millionaires club following moves by New Zealand Rugby to give players a significant rise in pay. Photo / Brett Phibbs
An elite group of All Blacks are in line to join the millionaires club following moves by New Zealand Rugby to give players a significant rise in pay.
Yesterday's announcement of a new collective bargaining agreement between NZR and the Player's Association confirmed a cash injection of $70 million would
raise the players' salary fund to $191 million by 2019.
The hike in wages follows a climb in NZR's broadcast and sponsorship revenue and anticipated revenue from next year's Lions 10-game tour itinerary that could reap as much as $40 million.
While professional players across the board are set to benefit, a select few top tier All Blacks could be the first in the national game to break into seven-figure territory.
Captain Kieran Read, lock Sam Whitelock, and fullback Ben Smith are in the commanding position of being off-contract next year and could be the first to fully capitalise on the new salary structure.
