The Australian Rugby Union said Friday it had reached agreement with the player association on a schedule of bonus incentives for the Wallabies at this year's World Cup.

The ARU said under the deal with the Rugby Union Players Association (RUPA), the Wallabies' squad will have the potential to earn significant player bonuses if they capture the Webb Ellis Cup in New Zealand in October.

Under the deal, the Wallabies have agreed to accept a cut in their match payments during the World Cup in order to maximise their prospective bonus for winning the tournament, the ARU said.

Match payments under the new arrangement will be reduced from around AUS,000 (US,000) to a flat AUS,000 for pool games and AUS,000 for knockout matches at the World Cup.

There will now be a bonus of AUS0,000 for each player if Australia this year becomes the first country to claim a third World Cup title, the ARU said.

The Wallabies' incentive scheme will be activated only if they win a semifinal and qualify for the Final.

At the 2007 World Cup in France, squad members were to receive a bonus if they advanced past the quarterfinals, but no bonus was paid when the Wallabies lost to England and failed to reach the semifinals.

For the coming tournament, the Wallabies squad will be entitled to AUS,000 each should they win a semifinal and reach the tournament decider in Auckland.

Players will be entitled to a further incentive bonus of AUS,000 if they are crowned World Cup champions.

"We believe this agreement gives the players an opportunity to be well and deservedly rewarded if they achieve the ultimate and return from New Zealand as Rugby World Cup champions," ARU Managing Director John O'Neill said.

AFP