I don't think you are correct with this one Jeeper?
I know some club players who aren't getting a cent for being in the NRC squads and also guys who weren't paid a cent for being in the Reds WTS/ETS.
I also know some 2014 Reds who aren't in either squad (i.e. they have already left the country) who told me that they weren't going to get paid to play in the NRC.
I think you will find that if Jim Carmichael can avoid paying the $5k that you mention then he has.
Reds WTS/ETS players aren't paid for their 'Super Rugby' training time, that would be a breach of salary cap rules..They can be paid for the NRC under the NRC salary cap though.
Reds Super Rugby contracted players aren't paid anything additional for the NRC matches played, that was an agreement between RUPA and the ARU to minimise costs. But their is a salary cap for the the remainder of the players outside of the super rugby contracted players.
As for those players who left the country already, that would have been at the discretion of the QRU and isn't related to the NRC wages. RUPA contracts typically run until the end of the calendar year, it's why the ARU can refuse to release players before the November Teat series, the Super Rugby provinces can as well. Given it's a development comp it serves no purpose to force players like Anae and Owen to remain for the NRC and potentially cost them their new contract in Europe.
In saying all that, it's possible that some players aren't getting paid at all, that's the nature of the tournament.. Jim Carmichael may have chosen not to spend the whole salary cap allowance.
