Brisbane (Australia) (AFP)
The second line of the XV of Australia Izack Rodda was suspended for having refused the collective salary cut negotiated during the stoppage of the championship, announced his regional federation.
"We understand that this is a difficult situation for everyone and that decisions must be made to ensure the long-term viability of rugby in Queensland," said David Hanham, director of the Queensland Rugby Union, in a statement.
Rodda, 21 caps with the Wallabies, and two of his teammates from the Queensland Reds, one of Australia's Super Rugby franchises, have refused the six-month pay cut of six months negotiated by players, teams and the Australian federation.
"These conditions are necessary at the moment and allow the QRU to make ends meet by the end of the pandemic" of Covid-19 which put the sport to a halt, justified David Hanham.
The agreement concerns 192 professional players and relieves the Australian federation, Rugby Australia, in financial difficulty.
National federation rugby director Scott Johnson said he hopes to reach an agreement with the three refractory players.
"We want the players to stay in Australia and honor their contract with the Reds and Rugby Australia," he said.
Australian professional rugby players returned to training on Monday, for the first time since stopping competition in March forced by the spread of the coronavirus.
The season could resume in early July, with a national version of Super Rugby which normally confronts 15 franchises from five countries.
© 2020 AFP