Rugby Australia faces major talent drain ahead of Women’s World Cup with protesting players set to defect to NRLW rugby league competition

The immediate future of women’s rugby and the Wallaroos in Australia is up for debate as players will flock to the rival NRLW rugby league competition.

The Wallaroos have breached their contracts by taking a stand against Rugby Australia and calling for promised improvements, including a full-time coach.

The players have put their names on a protest document, the flashpoint being the wives and girlfriends of Wallabies players who have been flown to Paris for the World Cup in business class, while Wallaroos have been forced to fly economy for matches.

“You said our program was going to be professional and our coach would be working full time. How many coaches has Eddie brought to the World Cup?’ read the statement on social media.

“You keep saying we don’t have enough resources and yet we all watched the World Cup broadcast for the Wallabies.”

Now players are ready to take action, with better pay, better conditions and a permanent collective bargaining agreement with the rival NRLW.

It would be a huge black eye for women’s rugby in Australia if the best players moved to rugby league, which would host the 2025 World Cup in England.

Boyle now plays for the Sydney Roosters and said rugby players who want better conditions would be welcome at the NRLW

Former Wallaroos players Mahalia Murphy (Parramatta Eels), ex-Wallaroos skipper Grace Hamilton (Sydney Roosters) and Grace Kemp (Raiders) have already moved to the NRL for the 2023 season.

Sydney Roosters players Millie Boyle and Keeley Davis said on their Upfront podcast that any rugby players looking to switch codes would be welcomed with open arms.

“I don’t know how so many girls still play rugby,” Boyle said.

“There are some great athletes in rugby, they are so committed to rugby, they have great skills, they are so fit, they are athletic… they are so committed to rugby and they get nothing in return.”

Davis wants to see a positive change in rugby, but added that the recent CBA in rugby league meant now was a good time for players to jump ship and get immediate access to the terms they deserve.

“It’s great to see there’s resistance now, because that’s how things change,” Davis said.

“Hopefully it’s a good start and they can really push, but if not, we’ll take all the girls, and the NRL will be happy to pay them.

“(The NRLW salary cap) is going up next year, so it’s a good time to come across this.”

Grace Kemp has given her support to the female rugby players after defecting from rugby to the NRLW for the 2023 season

Kemp, centre, left the Rugby Australia program after missing out on selection for the Wallaroos

Kemp left the rugby system after missing selection for the Wallaroos and taking an opportunity with the Canberra Raiders in the NRLW.

She has added her name to the protest, supporting women’s fight against Rugby Australia.

“The girls have come together – which is great to see – and they’ve made that statement to get better support from Rugby Australia,” she told .Wide World of Sports’ NRLW Weekly podcast.

“The coaching staff and everyone involved with the Wallaroos as a whole are great, but they need that support to fully support the girls.

“They need change now, and I think we’re all tired of hearing that change is coming. It needs to happen now that they can be athletes and be in that high-performance space.”

Kemp has found a new home with the Canberra Raiders where she plays prop in the NRLW competition this season

Kemp also outlined the major difference in training and playing conditions for women in the NRLW compared to rugby.

“With the Raiders, I can be an athlete, go to (our) knowledge center and train and recover well. We get physio, we have monthly blood tests to check our health, and that’s the difference between the (codes). We are supported both off the field and on the field,” she said.

That’s where the big hole falls and it’s definitely a hole that needs to be filled.

Everything from performance to health all come together to create the perfect athlete, so the fact that the girls stand up for it (and) support their coaches and support staff.

“It encourages the support staff to know they are supported by the players, but they just need the support of Rugby Australia.”