LIKE Oliver, Hong Kong's rugby players want more. The Union's play-for-pay scheme offered a couple of weeks ago has been dismissed as 'too little' by the players.
They want more - principally as reimbursement for expenses and compensation for time spent training. This is the sticking point between the two parties. The Union feel that their offer of $200 per official training session is adequate. The players want $2,000 per week.
This is a huge gulf in views. On every other issue, both parties could arrive at a consensus.
The Union have said they will pay a daily allowance of $1,200 when national players represent the territory at home or overseas. The players want a daily allowance of $1,000; and a match fee of $2,000 for 15s and $1,000 for 7s. It is not hard to see that some sort of an agreement can be reached on this issue.
As for the players wanting a win bonus ranging from $1,000 per 7s match to $3,000 for a 15s game, the Union could agree to an arrangement, perhaps safe in the knowledge that this is merely an incentive scheme.
So it is apparent that it is only on the training issue that the players have taken a strong stance. Some have even said that they would consider pulling out of the Pan Pacific Series if the Union does not reconsider their payment scheme.
The grapevine has it that although the Union have agreed to have another look, they are unlikely to come out with a fresh deal. The Union feel that since the players are not generating any income, it is unreasonable for them to expect more.
