Poms won't pay our Kangaroos

ANGRY Kangaroo stars are still waiting to be paid a total of $220,000 for winning the inaugural Four Nations which concluded in England 10 weeks ago.

The Courier-Mail can reveal each player is owed a $10,000 bonus for claiming the tournament ? their demands for the money though seemingly ignored by the RFL, England's governing body which controlled the event.

Most of Australia's 22 players anticipated being paid just after the final, which Australia won 46-16 way back on November 14 against England in Leeds.

The ARL last week sent an email to the RFL in Leeds asking for the players' money.

RFL officials claimed it was still finalising accounts ? and deductions ? from hotels the Kangaroos stayed at in London, Leeds and Paris. Players were given weekly allowances on tour but the final cash bonus has so far been withheld.

"It is money we are entitled to," said one player, who did not want to be named for fear it may jeopardise future Australian selection.

"I know they have to do the deductions but it has been 10 weeks.

"I know some of the guys aren't real happy. Some of the players actually need the money.

"It is money we were promised and we performed well all tournament. The delay in being paid is damn frustrating. If you represent your country, you should be paid."

It is known player managers have been attempting to retrieve the money for their clients. But with no success.

Despite their healthy NRL contracts, it is believed at least one very high-profile player has mounting bills and desperately needs the money.

ARL chief executive Geoff Carr yesterday described the payment process as "unfortunate".

"The issue is we have to get all the bills from the hotels because a lot of stuff gets booked up by the players," said Carr.

"That is being pulled together by the RFL. All the deductions have to be approved and that has to be done before the players get paid.

"We emailed the RFL four days ago saying we wanted to pay our players.

"They sent an email back saying it was just about sorted out. It's an unfortunate process but the players will get what they're entitled to.

Source: http://www.heraldsun.com.au