New Zealand Rugby has received a multi-million dollar payout under the government’s wage subsidy scheme.

The country’s Super Rugby franchises, regional rugby unions and New Zealand Rugby have claimed a combined total of about $7.3 million (R81 million), their applications due to hardship caused by the coronavirus restrictions.

NZR received about half of the payout and the other half was allocated to the provincial and regional organisations. NZR claimed for 531 staff, receiving $6,933 per staff member.

This follows NZR staff taking a 20% pay cut at the start of April.

At the time, NZR said it was able to keep the cuts to 20% with the help of the government subsidy. The governing body has been negotiating with the players’ union about wage cuts, with a decision expected by the end of the week.

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