UPDATE: In a groundbreaking move, Rugby Australia and seven elite rugby nations have issued a stern warning against players who consider joining the controversial R360 competition. This extraordinary joint statement, signed by rugby powerhouses including New Zealand, South Africa, Ireland, England, Scotland, France, and Italy, declares that participation in R360 will render players ineligible for international selection.
The announcement comes as concerns mount over the potential impact of the R360 league, which aims to lure top talent away from traditional competitions with lucrative offers exceeding $2 million per season. The league is set to launch on October 2, 2026, and has already targeted several high-profile players, prompting an urgent response from national unions.
The statement warns players and support staff to exercise “extreme caution” before engaging with R360. “We all welcome new investment and innovation in rugby; however, any new competition must strengthen the sport as a whole, not fragment or weaken it,” the statement reads.
The decision to ban players from Test rugby represents a significant escalation in the rugby community’s reaction, with Rugby Australia hoping this will dissuade its star players from signing with the rebel league. The collective pushback highlights the growing apprehension regarding the R360 model, which critics argue could undermine the financial and cultural foundations of the sport.
A notable absence from the joint statement is Argentina and Fiji, the only two nations in the men’s top 10 Test rankings not participating in this united front. The statement emphasizes the need for clarity on how R360 plans to manage player welfare and ensure players can still aspire to represent their countries.
“International rugby and our major competitions remain the financial and cultural engine that sustains every level of the game,” the joint statement continues. “Undermining that ecosystem could be enormously harmful to the health of our sport.”
As the situation develops, players like Wallaby Max Jorgensen and Melbourne Storm fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen are reportedly being targeted by R360. However, with the threat of international ineligibility looming, many may reconsider their options.
The rugby world is now closely watching how this situation unfolds, particularly as R360 has not engaged in discussions with national unions to clarify its operational model. As Rugby Australia and its partners strive to protect the integrity of the sport, players face a critical decision that could shape their futures and the landscape of rugby.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story, as the rugby community grapples with the implications of the R360 competition and its potential to disrupt the sport on a global scale.
