It’s no secret that rugby is a physically demanding sport. It requires a great deal of strength, speed, and stamina to be successful. So it’s no surprise that rugby players are some of the highest-paid athletes in the world. In this blog post, we will countdown the top 10 highest-paid rugby players in the world. From established veterans to up-and-coming stars, these are the men who are being paid handsomely for their talents on the field.
Springbok captain SiyaKolisi
As of 2019, the top highest paid rugby player in the world is Springbok captain SiyaKolisi, who earns an annual salary of $1.8 million.
Kolisi made history in 2018 when he became the first black African to captain the Springboks in a test match, and he has since become an iconic figure both on and off the field. In addition to his playing salary, Kolisi also receives endorsements from major brands such as Adidas and Land Rover.
Kolisi’s story is one of humble beginnings – he was born in the impoverished township of Zwide in Port Elizabeth and grew up without a father. He was spotted by a talent scout while playing for his local team and was offered a scholarship to Grey High School, one of South Africa’s leading rugby schools. From there, he progressed to captaining the South African Under-20 team before making his debut for the senior national side in 2013.
SiyaKolisi is not only one of the world’s highest paid rugby players, but also an inspirational leader and role model.
9. England’s Owen Farrell
Owen Farrell is one of England’s most successful rugby players. He has played for the national team since 2011 and has won numerous titles, including the Rugby World Cup and the Six Nations Championship. Farrell is also a key member of the British and Irish Lions, having toured with them in 2013 and 2017.
Farrell is widely regarded as one of the best rugby players in the world and his accomplishments have seen him earn a number of prestigious individual awards. He was named the BBC Sports Personality of the Year in 2016 and was also named Player of the Tournament at the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
In addition to his success on the field, Farrell has also carved out a successful career as a rugby commentator and pundit. He currently works as a regular contributor to Sky Sports’ coverage of rugby union.
As one of the most recognisable faces in rugby, Farrell commands a high salary and is thought to be one of the highest-paid players in the sport. It is believed that he earns around £500,000 per year from his club contract with Saracens, as well as lucrative endorsements deals with companies such as Adidas and Land Rover.
8. Japan’s Michael Leitch
Michael Leitch is a rugby union player who plays for the Japanese national team and the Sunwolves in Super Rugby. He was born in New Zealand to a Japanese mother and a New Zealand father, and raised in Japan. He played his junior rugby in Japan before moving to New Zealand to attend high school. He then returned to Japan to play for the university team.
Leitch made his debut for the Japanese national team in 2012, and has since played over 50 times for his country. He was captain of the Japanese team that won the 2015 Rugby World Cup, and also led the team at the 2019 Rugby World Cup. He is one of the highest paid rugby players in the world, earning over $1 million per year from his contracts with the Japanese Rugby Union and with his club team, the Sunwolves.
7. New Zealand’s Beauden Barrett
Beauden Barrett is one of New Zealand’s top rugby players, and he is also one of the highest paid rugby players in the world. Barrett has been with the All Blacks since 2012, and he has played a major role in their success. He was named the World Rugby Player of the Year in 2016 and 2017, and he was a key player for New Zealand during their successful Rugby World Cup campaign in 2015. Barrett is currently signed to the New Zealand Rugby Union, and he is also a member of the Hurricanes Super Rugby team.
6. Australia’s Kurtley Beale
Kurtley Beale is one of Australia’s most talented and popular rugby players. He currently plays for the New South Wales Waratahs in Super Rugby and has played over 60 Tests for the Wallabies.
Beale was born in Sydney in 1989 and grew up playing rugby union. He quickly developed into a talented player and represented Australia at junior level before making his senior debut for the Waratahs in 2007. He soon established himself as one of the best players in Super Rugby and was selected for the Wallabies squad ahead of the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
Beale has since become an integral part of the Australian team, providing both attacking flair and defensive solidity from his fullback position. He is widely considered to be one of the best players in world rugby and his performances have earned him numerous individual accolades, including the John Eales Medal (Australia’s Player of the Year) in 2012 and 2018.
Off the field, Beale is known for his outgoing personality and love of fashion. He has designed his own clothing range, KB by Kurtley Beale, and regularly appears on Australian television shows such as The Footy Show and The Sunday Project.
Beale is currently one of the highest-paid rugby players in the world, earning an estimated $1 million per year from his salary and endorsements. This makes him one of only a handful of Australian athletes to achieve such earnings, alongside cricket superstars Steve Smith and David Warner.
5. Wales’ Leigh Halfpenny
Leigh Halfpenny is a Wales international rugby union player who plays for the Cardiff Blues. He has also played for the British and Irish Lions, and was a member of the 2013 tour to Australia.
Halfpenny started his rugby career with Cardiff RFC, before joining the Cardiff Blues academy in 2005. He made his senior debut for the Blues in 2007, and went on to make over 100 appearances for the team. He has also represented Wales at Under-19 and Under-21 level, and made his senior international debut in 2010.
Halfpenny has been named Welsh Rugby Union Player of the Year three times, in 2011, 2012 and 2013. He was also named Six Nations Player of the Tournament in 2013. In 2014, he was named BBC Sports Personality of the Year Runner-Up.
4. Scotland’s Stuart Hogg
Stuart Hogg is a Scottish rugby player who plays for the Glasgow Warriors in the Pro14. He has also played for the British and Irish Lions, and is considered one of the best rugby players in the world.
Hogg was born in Galashiels, Scotland, and began playing rugby at a young age. He played for his local team, Selkirk RFC, before joining the Glasgow Warriors Academy in 2009. He made his debut for the Warriors in 2010, and quickly established himself as a key player for the team.
In 2013, Hogg was named Scottish Rugby Player of the Year, and he has since gone on to win numerous other awards. He was a member of the British and Irish Lions squad that toured New Zealand in 2017, and he played an important role in helping the team to a series victory.
Hogg is currently one of the highest-paid rugby players in the world, earning an estimated £500,000 per year from his salary and endorsements. This makes him one of the richest sportsmen in Scotland.
3. Ireland’s Johnny Sexton
Ireland’s Johnny Sexton is one of the highest paid rugby players in the world. The 32-year-old fly-half is currently on a four-year contract with the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) that is worth a reported €1.8 million per year.
Sexton has been an integral part of the Irish team since making his debut in 2009, and played a key role in their historic Grand Slam victory in 2018. He has also been named World Rugby Player of the Year on two occasions (2016 and 2018).
With over 100 caps for Ireland, Sexton is one of the most experienced and decorated players in the country’s history. He is also a highly respected leader within the squad, and was appointed as vice-captain ahead of the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
2. France’s Ant
In France, rugby is a popular sport with a rich history. The country has produced some of the world’s top rugby players, who have gone on to enjoy successful careers in both the domestic and international game.
So who are France’s highest paid rugby players? Here are the top five:
1. Dan Carter – Reported earnings of £1.4 million (US$2.1 million) per year from his club Racing 92 and various endorsements.
2. Joe Rokocoko – Estimated earnings of £700,000 (US$1 million) per year from his club Bayonne and various endorsements.
3. Thierry Dusautoir – Estimated earnings of £650,000 (US$975,000) from his club Toulouse and various endorsements.
4. Florian Fritz – Estimated earnings of £600,000 (US$900,000) from his club Toulon and various endorsements.
5. Yoann Huget – Estimated earnings of £550,000 (US$825,000) from his club Toulouse and various endorsements.