You are right, but this cut is to top up match payments, not salary.
The market does determine the payments to a degree. I just wonder about the motivation of someone in the National team who would shun the honour based on a reduction of their "bonus". It might be a bit unfair to ask this much of the players but as I mentioned (poorly) previously, will their be much of a game to represent and pay them if all the money runs out.
I doubt any players would opt out initially, but I don't really think that is the point.
Wallabies like other areas of the game have taken a pay cut because finances are in a poor position. Presumably the ARU came up with a number that they thought could work.
Why should they take another paycut? It needs to be remembered that the Wallabies are the source of the bulk of the ARU's revenue. They need to be fairly paid based on the revenue they generate which is how the EBA works.