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NSW Waratahs coach Chris Hickey has called on the ARU to introduce a salary cap concession for veteran Super Rugby players, which could help them retain captain Phil Waugh.
The ARU is bringing in a $4.4 million salary cap next year to replace the player payment protocols under which the five Australian teams do not pay players more than $110,000 plus expenses. Veterans have been exempt under that system.
While teams can now pay players whatever they like, keeping in mind no player can be paid less than $60,000, there are no concessions for long-serving players.
Both the AFL and NRL have salary cap concessions for veteran players.
In the AFL only half the payment to veteran players over 30 or who have completed 10 years with their current club is included in the salary cap.
NRL clubs are allowed to spend an extra $200,000 on players who have been at one club for eight years.
Waugh, 31, has played for the Waratahs since 1999.
As openside flanker Waugh is unlikely to receive a top-up from the ARU, he needs to command a good salary from the Waratahs or may look to continue his career overseas.
"If you are going to have some mechanism in place such as a salary cap, there does need to be room to move on players, perhaps like Phil Waugh, who has played at the Waratahs for such a long period of time," Hickey said.
Rugby Union Players Association chief executive Greg Harris said a salary exemption for veteran players was worth considering.
"That would be an issue that could be discussed in the full context of the Collective Bargaining Agreement," Harris said.
Read more: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news...-1226052860337