‘How many coaches has Eddie taken?’ – Australian women’s fury as rugby accused of favouring men

Australia’s top women’s rugby players have launched a scathing attack on Rugby Australia, accusing the body of favouring its men’s team and claiming that they were lied to.

The players published a joint statement on social media in which they criticised the union for its unfair treatment towards the women’s team while referencing the success of the Australian football team, who finished fourth in the Women’s World Cup.

The coordinated action was partly triggered by an Instagram post by Rugby Australia, which has since been deleted, appearing to show partners of the men’s players boarding a flight to France last week for the World Cup, which begins on September 8.

“You told us flying anything beyond economy was too costly. Then you flew the Wallabies business class on a trip shorter than ours,” the players said in an incendiary statement. “The future of our games hangs in the balance.”

In a lengthy list of grievances, the women highlighted the significant disparity in coaching resources between them and their male counterparts, pointing out that Eddie Jones, who has endured four successive defeats in his second spell in charge of the Wallabies, will take a six-strong coaching team, along with multiple backroom staff, to next month’s World Cup in France. The women’s coach, Jay Tregonning, is currently in a part-time role, which he juggles alongside another job as a PE teacher.

Rugby Australia’s decision to recruit rugby league star Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii on a reported £2.5 million contract is also said to have angered members of the part-time women’s team, who are still waiting to be honoured with full-time contracts as they build towards the 2025 women’s World Cup in England, and a home tournament four years later.

“You told us full-time contracts are in the pipeline, that there wasn’t enough money to keep the men in the game let alone us, then you paid $5 million for an NRL player,” the players said in their statement.

“You said our program will go professional and our coach will be full-time. How many coaches has Eddie taken to the World Cup?

“You continually say we don’t have enough resources and yet we all saw the World Cup send-off for the Wallabies.

“We’ve seen the impact that women’s sport has had on the Australian sporting landscape, thanks to the Matildas.

“It’s time for the chairman, board, and CEO to prioritise the future of Australian women’s rugby and allocate adequate resources.

“It’s time to acknowledge that we are not promoted equally, even on a free platform. The future of our games hangs in the balance. It’s your move, Rugby Australia.”

Australia fly-half Arabella McKenzie, one of the players to share the statement, wrote on social media: “At a time when women’s sport is shining in Australia, the reality isn’t the same for the Wallaroos #yourmove.”

A spokesperson for Rugby Australia said the organisation will “continue to involve the Wallaroos playing group, through the Rugby Union Players’ Association, in all planning and developments regarding investment in women’s rugby.”

It added: “We are taking steps towards a fully professional future for the Wallaroos and investing more broadly in women’s rugby across national and community competitions – and we know we have a way to go.

“In line with Rugby Australia’s commitment to incorporate players on this journey, Rugby Australia will continue to meet with the elected Super W representatives from each Super W team, the Rugby Union Players’ Association women’s player director, and the Wallaroos leadership group to listen and work together, to support our female athletes and their coaching and support teams.”