Ten highest paid rugby players in 2022
Springbok fly-half Handré Pollard is currently the highest-paid rugby player in the world. We compiled a list of the top ten highest paid rugby players in the world.
The game of rugby is a popular one around the world and especially in Europe. Some of the world’s best players fall into the category of the highest-paid rugby player in the world. It has become the world’s third most-watched sporting event. Through hard work, devotion, and strong game-playing skills, these players have earned fame and renown.
Pollard currently earns more than R31 076 564,81 ($1.52 million) a year for his association with the South African national rugby team and the Premiership Rugby side Leicester Tigers.
Among the highest paid rugby players in 2022 are Kiwi star Charles Piutau, second on the list at R20 445 108,43 ($1 million) while English star Maro Itoje is earning R16 356 086,74 ($800k) a year.
The following is a listing of the top-paid rugby players in the world according to sources:
10. Manu Tuilagi (England) | R7 155 787,95/Year
Tuilagi, who plays for Sale Sharks, was born on 18 May 1991 in Fogapoa, Samoa. As a fullback for England, he has competed in the British & Irish Lions. Tuilagi is one of five elder brothers to play for Samoa. In 2014, he became a British citizen after moving to England as a resident at the age of 12.
In addition to the 2011 Rugby World Cup, he played in the 2019 Rugby World Cup Final, entering the 2019 Rugby World Cup Final as a starter. He toured Australia with the Lions in 2013 and won a cap for the team. He usually occupies the center position.
9. Michael Hooper (Australia) | R10 631 456,38/Year
Hooper skips into the top ten on our list of the highest-paid rugby players in the world, having signed a huge five-year contract with Rugby Australia. However, at some point in the year, Hooper decided to forego playing in this year’s Super Rugby in favor of a break in the Top League with Toyota Verblitz.
Hooper was named the 2015 Super Rugby MVP at the John Eales Medal awards night. Keeping his starting position safe also forced David Pocock to take over at Number 8, following his return from injury. In addition, he was among the 31 players selected for the 2015 Rugby World Cup squad.
8. Nicolas Sanchez (Argentina) | R12 675 967,23/Year
Nicolás Sánchez has been playing flyhalf for Stade Français, a French professional rugby team since 2018. He rakes in a whopping £620,000 annually. However, prior to his joining the team, he represented Pampas XV in the Vodacom Cup in 2011, as well as RC Toulonnais between 2014 and 2015.
Furthermore, Sanchez has also played for his country, France on more than 90 occasions. And to the highlight of his career, he single handedly won all 25 of his team’s points in 2020 when they defeated New Zealand for the first time. He tops 9th on our list of the highest-paid rugby players in the world.
7. Morgan Parra (France) | R11,215,595,40/Year
Parra debuted against Scotland in the 2008 Six Nations Championship at the Stade de France as a replacement, making Team France’s first start against England. A front-line goal-kicker at the highest level, he also plays at the Test level. Having come to prominence with strugglers Bourgoin in the Top 14, Parra moved to French heavyweights Clermont Auvergne in 2009.
During this time, he formed a remarkable partnership with Australian flyhalf Brock James. In 2010, Parra led the French to victory in the Six Nations Grand Slam. The first choice for the 2009 autumn internationals, Julien Dupuy, was banned for eye-gouging, and he was selected partly as a result.
During his time playing alongside Francois Trinh-Duc, the halfback put up many masterful performances. Furthermore, this is also including a thrashing of reigning champions Ireland at Stade de France. A winner of the Grand Slam, he became the darling of the French public, media, and club after winning the championships.
6. Dan Biggar (Wales) | R14 311 575,90/Year
Biggar was born on October 16, 1989, and is an outside-half for Wales in rugby union. He plays club rugby for the Ospreys. He is the youngest player to reach the 100-game mark for the Ospreys. He has played in 100 games for the team. Biggar played in all of England’s RBS Six Nations games in 2015, and he scored the first try for Wales against France.
5. Steven Luatua (New Zealand) | R15 231 605,78/Year
During his regular playing season, New Zealander Steven Luatua plays either as a lock or a loose forward. Bristol Bears are the English Premiership team that he plays for. A member of New Zealand under 20 squads that won the 2010 and 2011 IRB Junior World Championship, Luatua represented New Zealand at those tournaments.
Luatua earned a spot in the All Black’s vast training squad after an outstanding start to the 2013 Super Rugby season. He debuted for the All Blacks when he came off the bench in New Plymouth’s 24-9 victory over France on 22 June 2013.
4. Owen Farrell (England) | R15 333 831,32/Year
Owen Farrell is currently contracted with Saracens. His latest contract runs until 2023. As captain of Saracens and England, he should still command a premium wage in his next negotiations.
3. Maro Itoje (England) | R16 356 086,74/Year
Oghenemaro Miles “Maro” Itoje is a blindside flanker for Saracens of the English Championship. He has played more than 130 times for his team and earned more than 50 England caps as well. Also, he has three European Rugby Champions Cup victories and five English Premiership titles to his name, in addition to his most popular rugby achievements. According to credible sources, the highest paid members of the England rugby team are reportedly Maro and Farrell earning hefty six – digits in pounds annually.
2. Charles Piutau (New Zealand) | R20 445 108,43/Year
Charles Tu’ipulotu Piutau was born in Auckland, New Zealand, and plays flanker for Bristol Bears. He plays in the English premier league alongside Luatua. On a few occasions, he plays fullback. Piutau is known as an All-Black speedster who rose to stardom despite quitting rugby at a young age. At age 23, he quit rugby, ending his career early. His early retirement made the headlines, after which the young player relocated to Dublin in 2015. Presently, he is signed on a lucrative contract with the PRO14 team Ulster.
1. Handre Pollard (South Africa) | R31 076 564,81/Year
Pollard earns a total of £1.52 million every year, coming first on our list of the highest-paid rugby players in the world. Also, he has participated in more than 60 games for his country. Pollard scored 22 points in the 2019 World Cup final. His net worth is presently over £1 million.
