Dunning to ARU: show us the money

[Gagger]

Dunning to ARU: show us the money

Greg Growden Chief Rugby Correspondent | May 1, 2009

WALLABIES prop Matt Dunning has called on the Australian Rugby Union to make public what it pays its leading players to reveal any major differences in the deals offered to squad members.

Dunning, who has been sidelined for five months with a ruptured Achilles tendon, has not yet re-signed with the ARU because: "I think I'm worth more than what they think I am."

The Waratahs front-rower is considering overseas offers, and if he stays in Australia may even move to the Western Force. What appears to irk Dunning most in his recent renegotiations is that what the ARU offered him appears to be considerably lower than what has been offered to several other Wallabies forwards. This has prompted Dunning to request that the ARU reveals exactly what Wallabies players earn.

In an interview with the ruggamatrix.com podcast yesterday, Dunning said there were discrepancies in the Wallabies' pay scales. He said if he knew that someone in a similar position was offered a higher salary, "you feel like you are less valued".

"If they are prepared to pay other people who are in the same position a lot more, and there's a couple of them, you say, 'Well, hang on a minute, maybe you want that person a lot more than me'," Dunning said. "There's no doubt there are some [salary] differences.

"I guess there is only one way of finding out - by publicising everyone's pay to the rugby public. Then at the end of the day there would be no debate ? It wouldn't bother me if everyone knew what I was being paid. The general public think the players get paid a lot more than what they are anyway.

"The only people who gain any advantage of not disclosing salaries is the employer; not the employee. It might sound a bit 'out there' but I think it would be a way of helping the individual know what they are worth, and what they should get."

Dunning, who is expected to return to club football with Eastwood on May 16, said he could understand if the public thought players were greedy.

"But on the whole, rugby players aren't overly greedy," Dunning said. "The issue is not about being paid more, but what I am asking is in relation to what's being paid to other players. If you are working in any job, such as an accountant or lawyer, you want to be paid accordingly to where you fit into the scheme of things.

"I don't think anyone would like it if there was someone getting paid double for the same job. It's about being paid the same. The money we get is very, very good, don't get me wrong. I just want to be paid in relation for what I do, and what the person next to me earns."

Dunning said he was prepared to stay in Australia "for less than what is available overseas".

"But on the same token, you are not going to stay when there is a massive difference in salary," he said.

ARU to Dunning: you're crap

 

[fatprop]

It was an interesting interview, but Dunning is no genius.

 

[RugbyReg]

While on the topic of props (the 'propic'), the latest Inside Rugby has a piece on Topo Rodrigez, the greatest Wallaby I have seen. Anyway towards the end he mentioned that he is in fairly constant contact with Al Baxter, giving him tips. Great to hear.

 

[Sully]

So he doesn't actually know how much other props are making he just wants more.

 

[rugbywhisperer]

Maybe it's an indication of just how much (less) they now think of him. Move on pal, the train is leaving.

 

[Lindommer]

If Tucky's got any brains (???) he'll squeeze the best offer he can out of the Force for a one year deal and head off west. Then he'll start every game at THP and if he's good enough (???) he'll pick up a well-paid gig overseas. Where THPs are paid what they're worth.

 

[fatprop]

I wonder what level Dunning rates himself.

To me he is on the level of Greg Holmes, Ben Alexander & Kepu. A second tier prop who is at best a bench option barring injury.

The only first tier props we have are Baxter and Robinson and they should be paid accordingly.

It would be best for Aus rugby for Dunning to go to the Force, but with no Gits, Mitchell, McIsaac & O'conner I understand his reticence.

 

[Ash]

I wonder what level Dunning rates himself.

To me he is on the level of Greg Holmes, Ben Alexander & Kepu. A second tier prop who is at best a bench option barring injury.

The only first tier props we have are Baxter and Robinson and they should be paid accordingly.

It would be best for Aus rugby for Dunning to go to the Force, but with no Gits, Mitchell, McIsaac & O'conner I understand his reticence.

At looehead in the Wallaby propping stakes, he'd be behind Robinson, Alexander, Holmes, in that order propbably (assuming Kepu is mainly considered now as a TH / both sides). At TH, there's Baxter, Shepherdson, Kepu, Palmer/Weeks all arguably ahead of him right now. At best, the ARU might slot him in 4th, ahead of Palmer/Weeks. Not good enough for what Dunning thinks he is.

Agree with Lindommer - take the money out West, and either prove himself there to get more ARU $, or take the $ OS.

 

[RugbyReg]

more prop talk.

Ben Daley playing THP this weekend.

 

[barbarian]

Think he has a bit of an inflated opinion of his own ability. He isn't even a S14 starting player, let alone Wallaby, so what does he expect? The ARU are hardly going to role out the red carpet for someone on the same provincial level as Troy Takiari.

 

[fatprop]

Think he has a bit of an inflated opinion of his own ability. He isn't even a S14 starting player, let alone Wallaby, so what does he expect? The ARU are hardly going to role out the red carpet for someone on the same provincial level as Troy Takiari.

He would be starting THP at any other Aus S14 side at the moment

 

[Ash]

Think he has a bit of an inflated opinion of his own ability. He isn't even a S14 starting player, let alone Wallaby, so what does he expect? The ARU are hardly going to role out the red carpet for someone on the same provincial level as Troy Takiari.

He would be starting THP at any other Aus S14 side at the moment

No he wouldn't. Dunning is still out injured. With a snapped achilles no less.

And that's arguable with the way Castle and Sheperdson have gone this year anyway. During that time I think it's a fair argument that Dunning been superceded by several props, including the two just named, and arguably Keepu, the young Palmer, and the young Weeks.

Fair to say that if Dunning remains at NSW, his value to the ARU is close to zip.

 

[cyclopath]

Think he has a bit of an inflated opinion of his own ability. He isn't even a S14 starting player, let alone Wallaby, so what does he expect? The ARU are hardly going to role out the red carpet for someone on the same provincial level as Troy Takiari.

He would be starting THP at any other Aus S14 side at the moment

No he wouldn't. Dunning is still out injured. With a snapped achilles no less.

And that's arguable with the way Castle and Sheperdson have gone this year anyway. During that time I think it's a fair argument that Dunning been superceded by several props, including the two just named, and arguably Keepu, the young Palmer, and the young Weeks.

Fair to say that if Dunning remains at NSW, his value to the ARU is close to zip.

Not true. Scrum machines need ballast. And he could eat the pies before Kurtley gets them.
But I agree. When (and if) fit, go west. As he is I doubt he would fetch much OS. He could still contend, but he is far from a proven quantity at the moment.

 

[RugbyReg]

Id welcome him up here, if he was fit. With Rocky it was give us some real battle hardness in the pack.

But I listened to the podcast, if he's so sure that no one will mind salaries being public, why didn't he just tell us what he is on now and what he thinks he deserves? I understand he can't make public the ARU offer, but tell us what he thinks he should get paid.

 

[formeropenside]

Id welcome him up here, if he was fit. With Rocky it was give us some real battle hardness in the pack.

But I listened to the podcast, if he's so sure that no one will mind salaries being public, why didn't he just tell us what he is on now and what he thinks he deserves? I understand he can't make public the ARU offer, but tell us what he thinks he should get paid.

Noddy, check your meds. Dunning "battle hardened". For what, the world hot dog eating competition?

 

[Red Beard]

While on the topic of props (the 'propic'), the latest Inside Rugby has a piece on Topo Rodrigez, the greatest Wallaby I have seen. Anyway towards the end he mentioned that he is in fairly constant contact with Al Baxter, giving him tips. Great to hear.

Dont suppose there is an online version of that article by any chance? I would love to read it.

 

[RugbyReg]

Id welcome him up here, if he was fit. With Rocky it was give us some real battle hardness in the pack.

But I listened to the podcast, if he's so sure that no one will mind salaries being public, why didn't he just tell us what he is on now and what he thinks he deserves? I understand he can't make public the ARU offer, but tell us what he thinks he should get paid.

Noddy, check your meds. Dunning "battle hardened". For what, the world hot dog eating competition?

43 tests and 99 games for NSW aint to be sneezed at, given the lack of experience in our team.

Red Beard, don't think so sorry.

 

[mark_s]

A mate of mine was fortunate enough to have Robbie Deans along as the guets speaker for a fund raiser for his junior guby club a week ago.

Someone asked Deans the question what has been Deans' biggest surprise since his move to Aus. Deans resposne was that Matt Dunning was much fitter and stronger than Deans thought - he apparently even scored better than some of the Waratah outside backs in the calliper test. Not sure if Deans was having a laugh or not.

 

[Blue]

Can someone seriously tell me with a straight face that any club in the Northern hemisphere would pay for Matt Dunning?

No?

Thought so.

What a deluded individual. Agree with Lindnommer. His only chance of an income is West, especially with Castle not staying on. Surely the Tahs won't resign him?

 

[RugbyReg]

A mate of mine was fortunate enough to have Robbie Deans along as the guets speaker for a fund raiser for his junior guby club a week ago.

Someone asked Deans the question what has been Deans' biggest surprise since his move to Aus. Deans resposne was that Matt Dunning was much fitter and stronger than Deans thought - he apparently even scored better than some of the Waratah outside backs in the calliper test. Not sure if Deans was having a laugh or not.

Blue, there is no doubt NH clubs would want him. No doubt in the world.

As for Deans's comments. I always thought Dunning (fit) would have done better than Lote in that Rexona Australia's greatest athlete game. Now I only saw the first few weeks, but Dunning is an excellent cricketer and golfer so would've done better than LT there. Seeing him in sluggos would've been unappealing, but I'd back his ability to shoot a basketball, catch a high ball, beat a defender to score a try, kick a goal etc over Lote.