The World’s Highest Paid Rugby Players in 2022 (Top 10)

Highest paid rugby players
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Did your mind ever ask, “Who are the top 10 highest paid Rugby players in the world?” Or have you ever thought, “Who is the highest paid Rugby player at the moment?” Well, if you are finding answers to these questions, then you’ve come to the proper place. In this article, we will try to answer these questions. We will also bring you the salary sum of the top 10 highest-paid rugby players on the planet in 2022. The top 10 rugby players in 2021.

Top 10 Highest Paid Rugby Players in 2022

This content will bring you to the 10 highest earners in the Rugby world. Just to clarify, the salary will represent the roasters’ main salaries. In fact, it won’t include any bonus, extra fees, or sponsorship deals. Let’s find out which guys have made it to the chart.

Who are the Highest paid Rugby Players in the World?

Although the list will feature 10 names, we are starting with the biggest of those. However, no player can claim himself as the highest paid rugby player alone because the first place is shared by 2 of them.

#1. Handre Pollard (South Africa & Montpellier): 1m GBP or 1.36m USD

Handré Pollard is a South African professional rugby union player. He currently plays for the South Africa national team. Meanwhile, the 27 years old who will turn 28 in the upcoming March also plays for Montpellier in France for the French Top 14. Following the 2019 Rugby WC, he made a highlighting move from the Bulls to Montpellier. Currently, he is the highest paid Rugby player with an annual salary of 1 million GBP. In US currency, his yearly income is around $1.36 million. The Somerset West-born 6 feet 2-inch tall man is a top-class performer. Hence, the fly-half cum inside-center deserves every single penny of his wage. So, don’t forget that he scored 22 points in the 2019 World Cup final and is a world cup winner. Major Sporting Events in 2022.

#1. Charles Piutau (New Zealand & Bristol Bears): 1m GBP or 1.36m USD

As we have already mentioned, there is no one top highest paid Rugby players as the 1st position is shared between 2 players. Apart from Pollard, New Zealander Charles Piutau is also the holder of this spot. The 30-year old is done with his national team days but still plays for English club Bristol Bears in the Premiership. The fullback is definitely one of the bests in Europe for more than half a decade. Before making the move to this English side, he featured for Wasps and then Ulster. His current wage fee is around £1m or $1.36m. Nevertheless, Piutau became the first-ever million-pound player in Rugby history. The fullback also plays on the wing occasionally.

#3. Eben Etzebeth (South Africa & Toulon): 900k GBP or 1.22m USD

The South African international is standing on the 3rd spot. He receives a wage fee of a bit lesser than a million in British currency (£900k). However, his salary still comfortably crosses a million if estimated in US currency ($1.22m). The 30-year old currently is a part of the French Top 14 side Toulon. He was a member of Africa’s 2019 World Cup-winning squad. The player whose original playing position is as a number 4 lock, is also the highest paid forward in professional Rugby. Top 10 Maximum Followed Sports Worldwide.

#4. Finn Russell (Scotland & Racing 92): 850k GBP or 1.15m USD

With a massive 850k GBP salary per annum, Finn Russel is the highest paid Rugby Britishman in the world. The Scottish is a genuine superstar of the game and is a very crucial member of his Racing 92 team. His 1.15m USD wage fee makes him the 4th overall on this chart. The 29 years old handsome guy generally plays as a fly-half or center. However, many of the reports were suggesting that he was to leave the French capital. But a huge pay rise in 2020 made him stay at the city of Eiffel Tower.

#4. Cheslin Kolbe (South Africa & Toulon): 850k GBP or 1.15m USD

Another South African to make it to the top 5! He is also the 2nd Toulon player on this list. The move he made from European and French champions Toulouse during the offseason, placed him as the joint 4th highest earner in rugby with Finn Russel. The Kraaifontein-born 28 years old currently receives £850k or $1.15m per year without bonus and endorsements. With those included, the earnings may cross the $1.7m per year mark. Klobe was a star of the Rugby World Cup 2019 and helped his country lift the title. Leo Messi Net Worth (2022).

#6. Maro Itoje (England & Saracens): 825k GBP or 1.12m USD

Just missing out on the top 5, the English international currently grabs the 6th spot. He is also the top highest paid rugby player among the English players at the moment. He gets an annual salary of something around 800k to 825k GBP. Whatever his annual wage fee is no less than 1.08m USD even without bonuses. The 27-years old plays as a lock or as a blindside flanker for Gallagher Premiership club Saracens. Many of the experts consider him as the current best of his position. By the way, he might have made a few more earnings if Racing 92 had fulfilled his demand. However, the French side was unwilling to increase that much, and hence, they sought out his signature.

#7. Virimi Vakatawa (France and Racing 92): 780k GBP or 1.06m USD

Although he missed out on WalesOnline’s selection, he made it to the top 10 this year. The 6feet2 mammoth-looking French international was originally born in New Zealand. He grew up in Fiji but is representing the French national side. He also plays for the French side Racing 92 at club level. Interestingly, his £780k or $1.06m salary makes him the highest paid rugby player among the French players. Overall, he ranks 7th.

#7. Beauden Barrett (New Zealand & Suntory Sungoliath): 780k GBP or 1.06m USD

Beauden Barrett took a sabbatical to feature for Top League side Suntory Sungoliath. It made him miss the Super Rugby campaign with the Blues. However, this move made sure that he earns a gigantic amount of money each year. In fact, he climbed a number of spots to make it to the top 10. He is the joint 7th earner on the list. Moreover, the £780k or $1.06m salary makes him the highest paid rugby players currently. All Black. And yes, he is also the highest earning star in the Top League.
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#9. Owen Farrell (England & Saracens):  750k GBP or 1.02m USD

Coming from a family which has an enriched rugby background, Owe Farrell is a very familiar name in the rugby world. The English national rugby team skipper is also captaining Gallagher Premiership side Saracens. He is the joint 9th highest paid rugby player. His current contract sees him bagging at least £750k GBP or 1.02 million US Dollars per campaign. With bonuses and endorsements, the inside-center cum fly-half takes home a more bulky amount of money each year. His daddy Andy Farrell, a former English rugby union and rugby league player is the current head coach of the Irish side.

#9. Michael Hooper (Australia & Toyota Verblitz):  750k GBP or 1.02m USD

The list will end with an Australian. He skipped last year’s Super Rugby with the Waratahs and took a sabbatical to join Top League side Toyota Verblitz. The move handed him a lucrative contract and with a £750k GBP or 1.02 million US Dollars per year wage fee, he found his place within the 10 highest paid rugby players. And yes, as the only Australian on the list, the Wallabies skipper is also the highest paid rugby player among the Australians this year.

So the alluded 10 guys are the current highest paid rugby players in 2022. Check out the Top 10 Highest Paid Cricketers in the World here.

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