When you’re amongst the best in the world you would expect to command some hefty wages. Rugby’s top earners are not doing badly, there’s no disputing that, but if you think that Wayne Rooney gets paid around £300 000 (R6,4 million) per week to amble around swearing and looking like Shrek you can’t help but feel these blokes might deserve more.

Anyway let’s roll on with the list from Wealth Wrap Up, starting with number five and building our way to the big kahuna:

5. Jonny Sexton – £494,000 (R10,6 million)

Jonathon Sexton, nicknamed Johnny, is an Irish Rugby Union fly-half currently playing for the Leinster Rugby of the Pro12 League…

During the 2009 Heineken Cup in Dublin Ireland,Sexton got his start replacing injured Argentine starter Felipe Contepomi and leading Leinster to the finals.

4. Sam Burgess – £500,000 (R10,8 million)

[He is] the most versatile athlete on our highest paid rugby players list. The English born powerhouse is the only player on the list to play rugby league and rugby union…

Sam Burgess also has 3 brothers that play professional rugby including younger twins, George and Tom, that play rugby league in South Sidney.

It should be noted what a massive flop his transition to union has been. With his one year contract with Bath having now expired Burgess has returned to Australia to play league, his union legacy consisting of helping England become the first host nation ever to exit at the group stages.

A big thanks from the rest of the world to Sam for all he has done for the English game.

3. Leigh Halfpenny – £600,000 (R13 million)

After 6 years and scoring 598 points Halfpenny announced this year he was leaving the [Cardiff] Blues for French side Toulon and record £600,000 making him the highest paid Welsh rugby player ever.

Spare a thought for this little pocket rocket, his 2015 World Cup hopes dashed just weeks before the tournament due to injury.

2. Matt Giteau – £700,000 (R15 million)

Another one of those smaller, nuggety players Giteau has been cashing in at Toulon since 2011. He has also racked up 102 caps for the Wallabies despite a four-year absence from the national set up.

And now, numero uno…

Dan Carter – £1,3 million (R28 million)

So after a storied career with the Canterbury Crusaders Dan is finally heading to France to make it rain, basically admitting that he signed for Racing Metro for the money. Can’t say anyone will begrudge you that money mate, after your performance in the World Cup final those Frogs might have landed themselves a bargain.

You can see that full top 10 list HERE – it does feature some local lads so check it out.

[source:wealthwrapup]