Rugby fans, brace yourselves! Welsh rugby legend Richard Hibbard has voiced his disappointment in the national rugby league squad as a major rift has emerged over player payments for international appearances. As the new chief executive, Hibbard’s taken issue with the players’ demands for compensation, especially when the Welsh Rugby League is already navigating tight financial constraints.
Paul Berry is at the helm, aiming to rejuvenate the squad’s age profile, but it’s been a bumpy start. With Rhys Williams retiring in somewhat rocky circumstances—receiving the news via voicemail—it’s clear there’s more than meets the eye here. The focus at a recent meeting wasn’t on the strategy for upcoming matches but rather on remuneration, a topic that saw some senior players expressing they wouldn’t play without pay.
Hibbard, a true stalwart of the game, was less than impressed. He reminisced about his willingness to represent Wales for pride and passion alone, regardless of a paycheque. It’s a stark contrast to the current conversation that sees players putting compensation before country. Last year, the WRL backed the senior squad’s games with considerable financial risk; however, current resources limit similar outlays.
Players like Elliot Kear, Gil Dudson, and Rhodri Lloyd have also hung up their boots, leaving a looming shadow over Wales’ upcoming double-header against Ireland in October and November. While Hibbard paid tribute to these retiring stars, he reminded them that in professional sports, places are earned, not gifted, regardless of past glories.
Drawing on his experience, he cited Brian O’Driscoll’s dignified response to being dropped from the Lions Test in 2013 as an exemplar of professionalism. It’s clear Hibbard holds high expectations for those donning the Welsh jersey—expectations rooted in passion, performance, and humility.
Stay tuned to see how this unfolds as Wales faces the challenge of turning this internal tumult into triumphant teamwork on the field! 🌟🏉