Can we get this salary cap thing clarified. Yep i agree they are most likely over the cap but it's purely on numbers and not the actual contracts themselves. I've had ago at what i'd believe are the highest earners in Aus rugby (i could be completely wrong) but it should indicate they aren't far off what the other teams are paying
Top line earners
Folau - NSW
Beale - NSW
Pocock - ACT
Genia - VIC
Hooper - NSW
Cooper - QLD
High earners
Foley - NSW
Coleman - VIC
Kepu - NSW
Smith - QLD
Koroibete - Vic
Hunt - QLD
DHP - Vic
Simmons - NSW
Kerevi - QLD
Douglas - QLD
Sio - ACT
Kurindrani - ACT
Phipps - NSW
Slipper - QLD
Med-High earners
Frisby - QLD
Parling - Vic
Mafi - Vic
Higgers - QLD
Hodge - Vic
Rona - NSW
McCalman - NSW?????
Latu - NSW
Uelese - Vic
Carter - ACT
Naisarani - ACT
Arnold - ACT
Timani - Vic
Faulkner - Vic
Speight - ACT
AAT - ACT
Godwin - ACT
Meakes - Vic
Lance - Vic
Medium earners
Hawera - ACT
Naivalu - Vic
Phillip - Vic
Tupou - QLD
Hardwick - Vic
Powell - ACT
Ruru - Vic
Nabuli - QLD
DP - QLD
Below Average but due a good pay day soon
Maddocks - Vic
Dempsey - NSW
Hanigan - NSW
Rodda - QLD
Tui - QLD
Banks - ACT
Perese - QLD
I've obviously missed plenty of players, but if im even remotely close to the mark it shows, NSW have spent all their money on 7/8 players
The Reds top 7/8 earners either aren't in the starting 15 anymore, been injured the past 12 months, about to get sacked, isolated from training, told to find a new club, or on a pension. A lot of money was spent to get Douglas in, Quade back, Frisby resigned, Smith in, Kerevi resigned, Hunt over from AFL, Higgers in from Japan and lets not forget only 2/3 years ago Slipper was the premier LH in Aus. So it's creating a bit of illusion that money isn't been spent. It's just been spent very poorly.
The Brumbies and Rebels would only have 2/3 top line earners with the rest all players that have only broken through in the past 18months (Hodge, Phillip, Banks, Uelese, Naisarani) that wouldn't command top line dollars or med/high to moderate maybe less earners. Trim Mafi and Parling from the squad come season end and the Rebels would be paying less than the Tahs come salary cap time.