A former All Blacks star and a World Cup-winning Springbok together top an up-to-date list of rugby’s best players.
A year and a half after WalesOnline released a list of the sport’s top 15 earners, ruck.co.uk has released its own list of the top 10 richest.
The website stressed that the estimates were made based on “data from Forbes reports, reputable news agencies and a variety of official sources to get us as close to the target as possible.”
“All figures quoted are pre-tax and do not include the range of bonuses and additional commissions hidden in the fine print of each contract. The various player sponsorship offers are also not included, but in some cases they add zeros to the end of their paychecks.
Springboks half-back Faf de Klerk, Ireland first five Johnny Sexton, England midfielder Manu Tuilagi, Scotland full-back Stuart Hogg, France half-back Morgan Parra, Los Pumas first five Nicolas Sanchez, first Wales five Dan Biggar and former All Blacks forward Steven Luatua are not on the current list. Conversely, three players who weren’t on the WalesOnline list last year have made it, according to ruck.co.uk estimates.
In total, the updated list includes three Springboks, two All Blacks, two Englishmen, a Wallaby, a Frenchman and a Scotsman, all of whom – with the exception of two players, who have both played in the Top League this year – there – play rugby at their club. in Europe.
Here are the top paid players
With that in mind, here is the list of ruck.co.uk’s 10 highest paid players in 2021:
10 Owen Farrell (England/Saracen) – £750,000
Owen Farrell is one of the Premiership’s top earners and is entering the final year of his contract with Saracens. After helping the London club return to the top of England this season following relegation to the RFU Championship over law breaches. cap.
9 Michael Hooper – £750,000 ut this year’s Super Rugby with the Waratahs. And take a sabbatical in the Top League with Toyota Verblitz has proved to be a lucrative decision making the Wallabies.
8 Beauden Barrett (New Zealand/Suntory Sungolith) – £780,000
Like Hooper, Beauden Barrett missed out on this year’s Super Rugby campaign with the Blues. To take a sabbatical deal with Suntory Sungoliath in the Top League. Making him the current highest paid All Black and highest earner in the Top League.
7 Virimi Vakatawa (France/Racing 92) – £780,000 (€921,924)
A new name on this list after losing to WalesOnline’s squad last year. New Zealand-born and Fiji-raised French star Virimi Vakatawa is the seventh highest-paid rugby player in the Top 14 Racing 92.
6. Maro Itoje (England/Saracen) – £800,000
Farrell’s England and Saracens team-mate Maro Itoje has been ranked as the highest-paid English player. But would have added an extra £200,000 to his salary. Racing 92 gave in to his demands when the Parisian club asked for his signature last year.
5 Cheslin Kolbe (South Africa/Toulon) – £850,000
2019 World Cup star Cheslin Kolbe made his way onto rugby’s wealth list. When he made his fortune moving from French and European champions Toulouse to national rivals Toulon.
4 Finn Russell (Scotland/Race 92) – £850,000 (€1m)
Exciting Scottish playmaker Finn Russell has been named Britain’s highest-paid player with. Racing 92 at a premium of £315,000 to WalesOnline’s estimates of last year.
3. Eben Etzebeth (South Africa/Toulon) – £900,000 (R18.34m/€1.06m)
In his second season of his three-year deal with Toulon, another newcomer to this list. Eben Etzebeth is Springbok’s giant smasher and the highest-paid striker in professional rugby.
2 Charles Piutau (New Zealand/Bristol Bears) – £1m ($1.92m NZ)
Charles Piutau, a former All Blacks utility full-back who has retained his place as rugby’s top equal earner. Remaining on Tonga’s radar in what would be a massive change to international eligibility. Has become the first million player Sports books when he joined the All Blacks Bears from Bristol in 2017.
1 Handre Pollard
Like Piutau, Springbok kingpin Handre Pollard remains atop rugby’s top. Earners after leaving the Bulls for Montpellier after the 2019 World Cup.