R360 boss Mike Tindall has moved to shut down claims that the breakaway rugby union competition actively targeted NRL players, insisting the league has done nothing wrong amid growing tension with rugby league powerbrokers.
The proposed competition has drawn sharp criticism from NRL officials, including ARLC chairman Peter V’landys, amid concerns it was attempting to lure contracted league stars away from the game, but Tindall says those accusations are wide of the mark.
Speaking to The Australian, Tindall was adamant R360 did not approach NRL players or attempt to undermine existing contracts, instead claiming players and their representatives reached out to explore alternative career options.
“We didn’t target anyone. NRL players and their agents approached us. We didn’t go after them. We’re a rugby union competition,” Tindall stated.
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Tindall suggested the brutal demands of the NRL season were a key factor behind some players making contact, with the physical toll of rugby league prompting interest in alternative opportunities.
“NRL players are fine athletes, but only those who could play in the back three could make the transition,” Tindall explained.
“Sam Burgess went from South Sydney to the England team (for the 2015 Rugby World Cup), and he didn’t find it easy,” Tindall added, pointing to the challenges faced by even elite NRL forwards when crossing codes.
The comments come despite several high-profile NRL names being linked to R360 over the past year, fuelling speculation of an organised recruitment drive.
Zac Lomax, Payne Haas and Ryan Papenhuyzen were among the most prominent players connected to the competition, with Lomax and Papenhuyzen both granted early releases from their NRL contracts at Parramatta and Melbourne respectively during a period of uncertainty surrounding R360’s launch timeline.
Momentum behind those moves stalled when the competition’s proposed start date was pushed back from 2026 to 2028, effectively halting any immediate code-switching plans.
Despite the backlash, Tindall maintains R360’s intentions have been misunderstood and reiterated that the competition is focused on building a sustainable rugby union product rather than destabilising rival codes.
Many critics have accused R360 of attempting to raid the NRL for established stars, a perception that has driven a negative narrative around the competition and its conduct.
Tindall’s comments directly challenge that view and represent a significant clarification at a time when attention around R360 had appeared to cool.
With tensions simmering between the NRL and emerging competitions, the remarks are unlikely to ease concerns among league powerbrokers, but they do offer the clearest insight yet into R360’s stance as speculation around player movement continues to swirl.
As the standoff rolls on, the battle for elite athletes — and control of the narrative — shows no sign of cooling.