Rugby is a game of physical fun and national pride. But just like any sport that turned professional, it has been muddled with issues of insanely paid players. What do Rugby players really earn, anyway?

The average rugby player earns around $400,000 USD per annum, that number could dip to $100,000 for greenhorns and spike up to millions of dollars for highly in demand players. Those figures do not even include the benefits players get from product endorsements and guest appearances. In any sense, Rugby players like all other professional athletes like a very comfortable life. Are these players worth all the dough?

Arguably, they are. In truth, their salaries are only a fraction of what Unions, stadiums and ad companies earn from consumers. Companies ideally earn millions, even billions of dollars from the sale of Rugby player endorsed products. That is why it is no surprise that they are willing to pay a lot to get the right player in their ads. The trading of players also result in higher pay for the athletes.

The game of Rugby went professional on 1995 and even then, star players started earning as much as $250,000 per year. In addition, a player’s salary rate continues to increase – despite drops in the economy.