The Wallabies are set to feel the pinch of the global financial crisis with the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) announcing a cut to Test match fees.

Players were expecting to receive $12,374 per Test match appearance this year but have agreed to take a $874 pay cut, according to the Rugby Union Players Association (RUPA).

The Wallabies received $11,875 per Test in 2008 and were expecting a 4.2 per cent increase for 2009, but in response to the global financial crisis RUPA agreed to forego the pay rise, with players to receive $11,500 each appearance.

The pay cut is only in place for 2009 with anticipated Test match payments to return to the pre-agreed rates next year, RUPA said in a statement.

It comes as the ARU have undertaken a series of cost-cutting measures including the scrapping of the Australia A program and Australian Rugby Shield in 2009.

"The ARU were able to convince us that, like most other industries, there were abnormal financial constraints being imposed on our sport that needed addressing from all key stakeholders including the players themselves," said RUPA boss Tony Dempsey.

"Furthermore the ARU was able to illustrate to RUPA that they were adopting sensible measures to reduce costs.

"Overall the savings to the ARU in terms of the player bill will be over half a million dollars when one also considers there is no longer a need for Australia A player payments."

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