UPDATE: Rugby Australia CEO Raelene Castle says "good progress" was made in talks with the Rugby Union Players Association on Tuesday as an agreement nears.
Castle, Rugby AU directors Phil Waugh and Daniel Herbert, RUPA chairman Campbell Fisher and CEO Justin Harrison and representatives from Australia's national teams and four Super Rugby teams were on a two-hour video conference on Tuesday.
in a statement released on Tuesday night, Castle said she felt "good progress" was made in the hookup on Tuesday.
RUPA is set to go back to its members to communicate the results of the meeting, something that appears to be the key in working towards a deal.
“We have made good progress today following a meeting with RUPA and a number of players from across each of our professional teams.
“There are 192 professional players across the country and we understand RUPA wanting to consult broadly with their membership on these discussions.
“Both parties appreciate what is at stake and the players recognise their role and shared responsibility in securing the future and helping the game navigate through this unprecedented challenge.
“We thank RUPA and the players for working constructively towards finding a short-term solution to shore up the long-term future of Rugby in Australia.”
EARLIER:
The Waratahs have opted against standing down their players without pay despite the fact that no player pay agreement has been reached between Rugby Australia and Rugby Union Players' Association (RUPA).
NSW's players are due to be paid their monthly salaries on Wednesday and with no pay deal struck between Rugby AU and RUPA over the Easter weekend.
The Waratahs said earlier this week that they were investigating all their options with the pay date looming, but hoped that a deal would be finalised before they had to make a call.
Standing down players without pay until an agreement was reached was considered a last resort for the organisation but it was a possibility that
PAY TALKS TO CONTINUE AFTER SATURDAY MEETING
It is understood the board and CEO Paul Doorn decided on Tuesday that they would pay players as normal this month, with adjustments made to future payments to match the amount of any eventual player cut.
The Brumbies went down a similar route earlier in the month with their players, paying their squad in full for the month.
The Reds and Rebels' pay cycles come later in the month, and it is hoped that a deal will be struck well before then.
Rugby Australia has reportedly requested players take a 65 per cent pay cut for at least the next three months, a prospect that the players' association has rejected.
Rugby AU CEO Raelene Castle recently announced that she would be taking a 65 per cent pay cut for the next six months, a 15 per cent increase on her initial decision to take a 50 per cent cut.
Three-quarters of Rugby Australia's administration staff have been stood down since April 1, until June 30.
