R360: Kick-Off Delayed Til 2028

[Major Tom]

A couple of things in that statement.

1. Didn’t Waugh actually meet with Tindall or other members of the R360 during the Lions tour? It says in the statement they didn’t meet with nations and provide collaboration.

2. This statement seems very focused on profits and money in rugby, it’s mentioned a few times.

To me, this reads more like a bunch of core rugby nations making a point that this comp is well funded but they aren’t seeing a single dollar for providing all the talent. I can see a scenario where R360 propose some type of licensing fee or percentage of profit being distributed amongst the countries based on how many players are represented. I have a feeling that would change things.

3. Do we really think players are going to be deterred by this? If there is guaranteed money involved and someone can make 4 years worth of earnings playing in 2 short seasons and then go play in Japan does it really matter?

3. A lot of players will be deterred by this. A lot won't of course.

 

[Tomthumb]

This all seems a bit weak from the Unions

 

[PhilClinton]

3. A lot of players will be deterred by this. A lot won't of course.

From an Aussie and Nz perspective isn’t it quite similar to how we’ve operated anyway? Plenty of blokes have left in their prime to go to Japan and France despite that and now the money being offered is much more.

And I doubt many women players would be deterred. They’re already the worst paid and in most cases semi professional.

 

[Dan54]

From an Aussie and Nz perspective isn’t it quite similar to how we’ve operated anyway? Plenty of blokes have left in their prime to go to Japan and France despite that and now the money being offered is much more.

And I doubt many women players would be deterred. They’re already the worst paid and in most cases semi professional.

I think it will just mean only the second tier of players will be real target. I not sure what the real money they being offered is, but I guessing most ABs and Wallabies will be not too far off a mill a year anyway, and a number over that.

 

[Major Tom]

From an Aussie and Nz perspective isn’t it quite similar to how we’ve operated anyway? Plenty of blokes have left in their prime to go to Japan and France despite that and now the money being offered is much more.

And I doubt many women players would be deterred. They’re already the worst paid and in most cases semi professional.

Yeah and it still does deter players (McReight the latest example).
I didn't really know if the women were involved but yeah they get next to nothing so it's a no brainer that they would jump at it. From an Australian POV it would be better for them as they don't get enough gametime as it is.

 

[PhilClinton]

I think it will just mean only the second tier of players will be real target. I not sure what the real money they being offered is, but I guessing most ABs and Wallabies will be not too far off a mill a year anyway, and a number over that.

I reckon less than 5 current Wallabies making $1M a season or just under.

Even arguably our best player in the backs Ikitau new deal is allegedly worth $800k a year and he’s out of SRP (Super Rugby Pacific) in 2026 anyway on a sabbatical which will pay him $1M for that season.

 

[Strewthcobber]

I think it will just mean only the second tier of players will be real target. I not sure what the real money they being offered is, but I guessing most ABs and Wallabies will be not too far off a mill a year anyway, and a number over that.

Lukhan Solokaia Loto is on $600k AUDapparently and next year will be the third highest paid forward in Australia

The reporting is R360 is >$1m USD and tax free. If so, that's a lot more than what RA are offering

 

[Strewthcobber]

Payne Haas asking $3m a year from R360 apparently. Crazy money, but may as well ask

 

[Major Tom]

Payne Haas asking $3m a year from R360 apparently. Crazy money, but may as well ask

Just trying to squeeze the NRL for more money. He knows he and his manager know he's a marquee player that the NRL wouldn't want to lose.

 

[noscrumnolife]

Haven't given thoughts yet, but in general I am totally open to a new competition and have no attachment to any structures in Rugby outside of the World Cup, regular games between the Tri-Nations team in whatever form and the Six Nations. The rest I either don't care about (TRC) or can get to pot.

So I am open to a new competition, ideas and investment for the game. The problem is this one just sounds like complete gash. No interest at all. Get a better format and come back to me. Sorry but the idea of leaguies running around in Qatar for a weekend is not appealing at all. I say this as a league fan.

 

[Dctarget]

Respect Wales for saying fuck it we'll select from anywhere, we can't afford to go even lower. We'll let the other unions take the principled stance.

 

[stoff]

The statement also only mentions international selection. Nothing in there to stop players heading to club comps in those countries once they are done with R360.

Most of the nations listed don't routinely select from overseas. It's really just bluster from anyone other than South Africa.

 

[Upthemaroon!]

Payne Haas asking $3m a year from R360 apparently. Crazy money, but may as well ask

Honestly, go off king. Bleed both the NRL or the Saudi's dry

 

[Upthemaroon!]

Haven't given thoughts yet, but in general I am totally open to a new competition and have no attachment to any structures in Rugby outside of the World Cup, regular games between the Tri-Nations team in whatever form and the Six Nations. The rest I either don't care about (TRC) or can get to pot.

So I am open to a new competition, ideas and investment for the game. The problem is this one just sounds like complete gash. No interest at all. Get a better format and come back to me. Sorry but the idea of leaguies running around in Qatar for a weekend is not appealing at all. I say this as a league fan.

My feeling exactly. I want to support a breakaway rebel league that gives every old boy blazer the finger. Just not one funded by a government that chops up journalists.

 

[Braveheart81]

My feeling exactly. I want to support a breakaway rebel league that gives every old boy blazer the finger. Just not one funded by a government that chops up journalists.

Ahh yes. Good to see a plucky upstart like Mike Tindall sticking it to the old boy blazer crowd.

 

[Upthemaroon!]

Ahh yes. Good to see a plucky upstart like Mike Tindall sticking it to the old boy blazer crowd.

View attachment 23473

Haha yeah fair, got me on that one! Let me rephrase: I want to support something that makes the current rugby organisations innovate and realise they need to do something different.

 

[Braveheart81]

I want to support something that makes the current rugby organisations innovate and realise they need to do something different.

I also don't really get how this is going to do anything like that.

Rugby already struggles to deal with owners and competitions (French Top 14 and Japan League One mostly) being willing to lose substantial amounts of money in order to make their competition outperform their revenue.

This is taking that starting point and amplifying it massively. There's nothing to be learned from this. In my view the most likely outcome is that it makes a bunch of players quite wealthy for a couple of years and then disappears because the whole thing is largely terrible and no one cares about it and then the funders move on to something new.

 

[Upthemaroon!]

I also don't really get how this is going to do anything like that.

Rugby already struggles to deal with owners and competitions (French Top 14 and Japan League One mostly) being willing to lose substantial amounts of money in order to make their competition outperform their revenue.

This is taking that starting point and amplifying it massively. There's nothing to be learned from this. In my view the most likely outcome is that it makes a bunch of players quite wealthy for a couple of years and then disappears because the whole thing is largely terrible and no one cares about it and then the funders move on to something new.

Don't think the unions should take over anything in the (proposed) R360. Just shock them in motion to do anything to be honest.

 

[Strewthcobber]

I also don't really get how this is going to do anything like that.

Rugby already struggles to deal with owners and competitions (French Top 14 and Japan League One mostly) being willing to lose substantial amounts of money in order to make their competition outperform their revenue.

This is taking that starting point and amplifying it massively. There's nothing to be learned from this. In my view the most likely outcome is that it makes a bunch of players quite wealthy for a couple of years and then disappears because the whole thing is largely terrible and no one cares about it and then the funders move on to something new.

With a by product that the market for all player salaries will rise and anchor higher, and unions will end up paying more for pros, leaving even less money for community and rugby development (see also Japan and a French models)

 

[Ignoto]

So I am open to a new competition, ideas and investment for the game. The problem is this one just sounds like complete gash.

Outside of playing the game in the most random places, what has Tindall put forward that is new and novel in this competition that will be revolutionary? I haven't heard of anything.