Kaufusi Sought Pay Equality for World Cup Players

The RLPA president intends to address the payment gap between Australian stars and international representatives.

Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Soccer

Kaufusi Sought Pay Equality for World Cup Players

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Should national teams receive equal pay to prevent financial influence on player allegiance?

Felise Kaufusi has pledged to campaign for improved pay equality for Rugby League World Cup athletes. This follows concerns that current financial disparities could impact national team selections.

Why it matters

Significant pay gaps between Australian players and their international counterparts may influence athletes to choose nations based on financial incentives rather than heritage. Addressing this in collective bargaining is viewed as essential for maintaining the integrity of international competition.

Australian players currently receive a $40,000 flat participation fee for the tournament, compared to a maximum of $4,250 for non-Australian players. In 2017, tier one nation representatives received $20,000 for their World Cup participation.

The players

Felise Kaufusi

He is the general president of the RLPA and an advocate for equitable player compensation.

Jason Taumalolo

He is a rugby league player who notably chose to represent Tonga in 2017.

Andrew Fifita

He is a professional rugby league player who made the decision to play for Tonga over tier one nations.

Robert Toia

He is a player who elected to represent Tonga despite interest from the Australian Kangaroos.

The details

Kaufusi, who became general president of the RLPA in November 2025, aims to reform payment terms established by the ARLC. The current model sees players from other nations earn just $850 per match, a figure that highlights the financial motivation behind players like Jason Taumalolo and Andrew Fifita choosing Tonga over tier one nations.

2017: Jason Taumalolo and Andrew Fifita chose to represent Tonga.
November 2025: Felise Kaufusi was appointed general president of the RLPA.
15 October 2026: The Rugby League World Cup begins.

Season Trajectory

This push for pay parity marks a significant pivot from the 2017 era when players like Jason Taumalolo first sparked movement towards tier two nations. By addressing these terms, the RLPA seeks to stabilise roster selections and prevent further financial-based attrition from top-tier squads.

The proposed changes could significantly shift roster stability for international teams by removing financial barriers for players choosing their representative nation. This may lead to more competitive squads in future tournaments if top-tier talent is no longer incentivised solely by flat-fee structures.

The takeaway

The move to equalise pay highlights an ongoing struggle to balance professional compensation with international representation. Players and administrators continue to debate whether financial standardisation or market-based fees best serve the long-term health of the World Cup.