Only France, Japan and Ireland have enough money to pay players to $.
That said, Ireland doesn't disclose their figures. But I recall a interview with Stander where it was in his interest not to play for a club when retiring due to some tax loophole.
As for France, lots of private money that goes into rugby and well supported by the fans. The stadiums always look full when you watch and most of the teams are really competitive. Then, they have most of the top players and a lot of South Sea Islanders. Not to mention players from Australia and New Zealand. Even English players are jumping ship and willing to give up playing for England to make some money in France.
Then as for Japan. I think only foreign players get the most where as the local players, are employed as a regular employee and when they stop playing will go to work. Unless they've changed it now with the recent restructuring.
Still, Japan has a ton of money.
But for the rest of the world, the money is simply not there.
In my honest opinion, I don't think rugby in general can pay players that much.
However, I would rather see shorter seasons then players playing for 11 months of the year.
I want to get the stadiums full and fans excited.
It works for the NFL, it works in Japan and it will work for all the other countries.
