Players score with new SANZAR deal

The new five-year US$323-million deal signed between News Ltd and the SANZAR triumvirate of South Africa, New Zealand and Australia is good news for the players, according to the players' union.

It was confirmed on Wednesday that a new five-year broadcasting deal with News Limited and South Africa's Supersport was signed, which will significantly increase SANZAR's income from tournaments such as the expanded Tri-Nations and Super 14 from 2006.

According to the Australian-based Rugby Union Players' Association (RUPA) chief executive Tony Dempsey the players will certainly get their share of the pie.

"Whenever the size of the pie goes up, the players' share of that pie goes up as well," Dempsey told the media.

"This is only good for the players. They're happy with it as it gives them peace of mind knowing the game's secure going forward."

Dempsey said that with the addition of a fourth, Perth-based, Australian team in the expanded Super 14, more Australian players would now have to share the pie.

He said they would also have "a slightly higher workload" in terms of playing more matches.

"There will be more players but there may not be that many more," Dempsey said, pointing out that many of the ARU's 115 contracted players were not being "fully utilised" as they couldn't get regular games for their state teams, something that will change when the Perth outfit starts up.

A new collective bargaining agreement between RUPA and the ARU was expected to be announced Thursday detailing the exact nature of the revenue sharing agreement.

Under the old agreement, the players took about 30 percent of ARU revenue gleaned directly from matches by way of broadcast rights, ticket sales and sponsorship.