New "LIV Style" Global Rugby League

[Dctarget]

Minor quibble is half the linked NRL stars are NZ eligible, not Aussie. Could you please go after Cleary, Crichton and Hammer please?

Another thought, if Hansen/Tuipuloto/Meafou went to R360 instead I doubt they'd be playing for other nations right now. I'm being optimistic but it's a union comp that retains talent for Wallabies. It fucks over super for sure.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Honestly in the short term, I think this is more of a disruptor for the NRL than rugby as they have never really had an entire competition coming to poach huge numbers of their best players with so much money (aside from RA during that early 2000s period). The NRL are looking to launch two new teams in the next 2 years and already have a competition where shit teams like the Titans and Tigers are stuck being shit due to lack of depth in certain positions.

The NRL have also created a market where they are severely overpaying for mediocre halves players, which means a bunch of the younger halves will start asking for more and more money and potentially leave for this competition or look to jump ship to rugby.

This initial setup of R360 is really focussing on the top level men's players, of which it seems like the NRL have more to lose. I don't think we'll see too many SRP (Super Rugby Pacific) (Super Rugby Pacific) squad players getting contracts until the competition expands.

I guess Super League in the 90s is the closest comparison which did threaten them but worked out in the best interest of the players long term. NRL will be fine. The average salary is that of major players in Rugby.

RA should do their best to ride the wake of a massive wave if it happens.

 

[PhilClinton]

I guess Super League in the 90s is the closest comparison which did threaten them but worked out in the best interest of the players long term. NRL will be fine. The average salary is that of major players in Rugby.

RA should do their best to ride the wake of a massive wave if it happens.

Yep sorry, not disregarding the Super League era - I more see that as an evolution of the competition due to the long term benefit it provided.

R360 is a different beast as it's an entirely different code and will likely have zero Australian presence from an ownership perspective.

 

[PhilClinton]

Minor quibble is half the linked NRL stars are NZ eligible, not Aussie. Could you please go after Cleary, Crichton and Hammer please?

Another thought, if Hansen/Tuipuloto/Meafou went to R360 instead I doubt they'd be playing for other nations right now. I'm being optimistic but it's a union comp that retains talent for Wallabies. It fucks over super for sure.

I think it's likely a number of current State of Origin stars may see themselves as being paid well enough, plus the additional match payments of 3 x SOO games and likely Kangaroos tour and decide the money difference isn't as significant.

Lomax an outlier but I wouldn't call him a SOO positional lock each year.

 

[Highlander35]

Saudi on top

 

[Adam84]

I guess Super League in the 90s is the closest comparison which did threaten them but worked out in the best interest of the players long term. NRL will be fine. The average salary is that of major players in Rugby.

RA should do their best to ride the wake of a massive wave if it happens.

in this analogy, I think RA will more likely be trying to mitigate the wake created rather then riding the wave.

I think the hype around the NRL players will be a sugar hit, if half of them sign I’ll be surprised. As happens already, It’s just players agents driving up their value

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

This, Perth bears able to sign from 1st Nov and another team coming in somewhere in time will have any player agent licking their lips.

You'll get a couple that jump at the cash but others will use it a tool.

Worst case for Aus would be guys like Bell, Canham etc. Mid 20s players departing. Good result would be a guy like Carter Gordon who would have to be a likely target. He's pretty available

 

[Omar Comin']

I agree that this is the solution that R360 will want, and would be the easiest way out, but I'm very unenthusiastic about test rugby in February, and I reckon, like Adam, it will lead to less interest in the game here

At least the RC (or the recipricol tours or whatever we end up with) wouldn't have to compete with the NRL and AFL finals. I wonder if they could agree on shifting the window back ~3 weeks or so (late Feb to early April).

 

[PhilClinton]

My understanding is that contracts have been signed. I posted this in another thread a while ago but I know at least here in Brisbane there are a number of law firms who have been working with players to review the terms and how their employment standards align with current benefits on their NRL/SRP (Super Rugby Pacific) contracts.

If the big NRL guys pull the pin now, the competition would fold, funding would be rescinded and they'd likely be in breach.

 

[Dctarget]

Worst case for Aus would be guys like Bell, Canham etc. Mid 20s players departing. Good result would be a guy like Carter Gordon who would have to be a likely target. He's pretty available

(big) if R360 remains available for Wallabies, what's the difference from Bell going to Munster or Ikitau to Exeter? I get excited because I think it could stop players like McMahon/Kerevi going to Japan and never being seen again but tbh it probably means they still go and the next rung get poached as well.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

(big) if R360 remains available for Wallabies, what's the difference from Bell going to Munster or Ikitau to Exeter? I get excited because I think it could stop players like McMahon/Kerevi going to Japan and never being seen again but tbh it probably means they still go and the next rung get poached as well.

True. But, Bell and Ikitaus deals are in the sabatical category and smart of RA to let a guy go and enjoy with the expectation and knowlegde they are returning.

Hopefully it works out like the IPL and our Test stars still prioritise Tests.

 

[Red Runner]

I hope they don't forget to focus on referees. First name on the list should be Andrea Piardi - please

 

[Wilson]

(big) if R360 remains available for Wallabies, what's the difference from Bell going to Munster or Ikitau to Exeter? I get excited because I think it could stop players like McMahon/Kerevi going to Japan and never being seen again but tbh it probably means they still go and the next rung get poached as well.

The biggest difference is that this would be as well as a guys taking deals in Europe, not instead of. There's plenty of expectation that this is going to draw players out of the Prem, URC and Top 14 where season lengths are significantly longer. Those teams are going to be looking for plenty of fresh meat to top their squads back up.

 

[Dctarget]

The biggest difference is that this would be as well as a guys taking deals in Europe, not instead of. There's plenty of expectation that this is going to draw players out of the Prem, URC and Top 14 where season lengths are significantly longer. Those teams are going to be looking for plenty of fresh meat to top their squads back up.

Yes so it hastens the death of Super Rugby as union players just got a whole lot more expensive but protects Australian eligible players.

 

[Strewthcobber]

Hopefully it works out like the IPL and our Test stars still prioritise Tests.

The analogy is good, except in this case the IPL is being held during November to January, during our home test season

 

[Wilson]

Yes so it hastens the death of Super Rugby as union players just got a whole lot more expensive but protects Australian eligible players.

The first part is right (if this thing lasts, I'm still very skeptical it will), but I don't see how it protects Australian eligible players, not on balance.

 

[Wilson]

RA won't pick R360 players, according to Doran:

https://www.theroar.com.au/2025/10/01/rugby-australia-wont-pick-r360-players-for-wallabies-after-rebel-league-gets-ready-for-lift-off/

 

[PhilClinton]

RA will be beating their chests for the next couple of years - they've re-signed a number of key players already and have the windfall from the BIL tour and the home RWC on the horizon.

I can see why they'd take this stance, they believe they've got enough cash and incentives to keep our key players in the game for the time being.

 

[Strewthcobber]

as many as a dozen Wallabies, including a couple of starters under Joe Schmidt, have also signed provisional deals to join R360.
The Roar understands some Wallabies will sign up for the competition regardless, given the mega seven-figure deals on offer.

Potentially a pretty big impact there

 

[Red Runner]

Potentially a pretty big impact there

a dozen wallabies but only two recent starters? That's interesting.

Good opportunity for Joe Powell, Sean McMahon, Jordan Uelese et al?