Rugby is a sport that I’m not very familiar with. I understand the rules and how the game is played well enough but don’t know anything about the professional scene; what the league is called, the name of the teams, who the star players are… rugby is one huge mystery to me. Although I don’t follow the sport, that doesn’t mean it’s not popular because it’s actually quite the opposite. In many foreign nations rugby is one of the most popular sports out there with a massive following. Here are the ten richest rugby players in the world.
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10. Matt Giteau – $54,600 per month
Giteau is an Australian native rugby player that signed a deal with French team Toulon back in 2011 earning him $54,600 per month. This athlete has grown to be able to play multiple rugby positions over the years and was even considered to be the International Rugby Board Player of the Year. He started out playing for the ACT Brumbies and then moved to the Wallabies a year later. He was not chosen for the most recent Australian Rugby World Cup team which led him to sign with Toulon and continue his career in France.
9. Jamie Roberts – $54,600 per month
Jamie Roberts is actually a former teammate of Giteau’s on Toulon and they are making the same amount of money. Roberts is mainly a center but can also fill in at wing or fullback if needed and has helped his national Welsh team to many victories. He was just recently on Toulon but signed his $54,600 per month deal with Racing Metro, another French rugby team based in Paris. Roberts is only 27 years old and has won numerous awards and is a sought after starter.
8. Bakkies Botha – $55,900 per month
Botha plays for Toulon, which seems to be one of the hotter French teams in the league. Aside from being one of the highets paid rugby players around, Bakkies Botha is also one of the most decorated. He won the World Cup in 2007 as well as two Tri Nations titles in ’04 along with plenty of other different rugby cups. He has been absolutely beastly for Toulon and even led them to being the Heineken Cup European Champions last year.
7. Carl Hayman – $55,900
Yes, another Toulon player goes on the list. Hayman is currently 34 years old, but back in ’07 was the talk of the town with everyone wanting to sign him to their team. Hayman was a highly rated prospect out of New Zealand who eventually chose to join the Newcastle Falcons. Despite it being later in his career, Hayman is still a valuable asset for a team to have which is why he earns $55,900 per month.
6. Dimitri Szarzewski – $55,900 per month
Szarzewski came into the league playing for the AS Beziers Herault where he played in both the Heineken and European Challenge cups. In 2004 he started playing in the French league and is currently with Racing Metro (with Jamie Roberts) where he plays the hooker position. Szarzewski is the second highest paid player on Racing Metro and also sits in the $55,900 per month gang.
5. Thierry Dusautoir – $58,700 per month
Dusautoir is a home born French native that is currently playing for the international team along with the club of Toulouse. He’s been playing rugby since he was 16 years old and has dabbled in other sports as well like judo. He is a prototypical rugby athlete with good passing skills, the right amount of speed, and enough strength to power through a tackle or pack. Dusautoir has been a great player for France and made his debut back in ’06 and hasn’t left Toulouse where he is the highest paid player on the squad.
4. Morgan Parra – $46,000 per month
Parra is another Frech international player that is with the club team Clermont Auvergne (also in the top 14 league). Normally Parra will play the scrum half role for his team but has the ability to fill in at fly half if needed. He’s only 25 years old right now and debuted for France when he was 19 easily making him the youngest on the list so far. Parra also takes up the role of kicker for both the international and club squad and is nicknamed for his shot calling ability and taking charge while out on the field.
3. Brian Habana – $68,200 per month
Brian Habana is a South African rugby star that plays wing for his international team as well as the French top 14 club Toulon (again…). He has been a huge contributor to his South African squad and has gotten plenty of tries for them in matches. Habana is an impact player that really adds a spark to the team and has a fun personality that can get the job done but still have fun and love the game while doing so.
2. Johnathan Sexton – $71,000 per month
Sexton is actually and Irish rugby player (first time seeing that) who is currently on the Racing Metro squad. He mainly sticks to playing fly-half but can provide help at an assortment of defensive line positions as well. At 28 years old he is praised for his great offensive and defensive skills along with being able to make crisp passes and be the teams kicker. He signed a $71,000 per month contract with Racing Metro which makes him the second highest rugby player in the world.
1. Jonny Wilkinson – $76,400 per month
Toulon’s Jonny Wilkinson takes the title for highest paid rugby player, but his talent level certain makes him deserving of the money. He plays for the English international team and was a key role player in England’s success during 2003 when they won the World Cup as well as the team’s run to the finals again in 2007. Wilkinson has unfortunately dealt with a lot of injury over the course of his career and because of that retired from international play three years ago but is still playing strong with Toulon where he helped them win the Heineken Cup European Champions last season.
