Rebel rugby union competition R360 is officially going ahead with a start date of October 2026 and three years of secured funding.
The news this morning sent shockwaves through the rugby league world as it was also revealed that up to 10 NRL stars have reportedly agreed to defect to the new competition.
After dismissing the viability or threat of the concept earlier in the year, ARLC Chairman Peter V’landys has been forced to change his stance and has responded to the raids on the NRL.
MORE: R360 Bombshell: Up to 10 stars set to defect
“If I was a player, what I would be recommending to them is to get hold of the business plan and read the fine details as to how this thing is going to be funded,” V’landys told the Daily Telegraph.
“The due diligence also includes what happens if I go broke, what happens if I don't get paid for 12 months” V’landys said.
The outspoken V’landys also took aim at both managers and players in a hardline stance that reflects the NRL is now taking the R360 threat far more seriously.
“If your player manager hasn’t done the due diligence, get a new manager.” V’landys vehemently declared.
“We have proven we will take hard action. We’re not going to let someone destroy our great game. They’re going to have to understand there’s consequences,” V’landys warned.
Players have been urged to consider their futures by the NRL, who continue to push the case that R360 is a risk players should not be taking with their careers.
The NRL supremo has vowed to listen to clubs and take action, remaining steadfast that a rival league will not be allowed to pillage the NRL.
It is believed NRL clubs are furious and demanding a more formal response from the NRL, with V’landys conceding that talks with clubs are already underway.
As reported earlier, Warriors veteran Roger Tuivasa-Sheck has already confirmed his R360 commitment, while the Eels’ Zac Lomax is reportedly pushing to leave despite having three years left on his contract, and it has been widely suggested that Rabbitohs young gun Jye Gray has already received an offer worth close to $950k per season.
It is also understood R360 wants signings confirmed as soon as possible, spelling disaster for the NRL in a week where both the Dally M Awards and Grand Final are scheduled.
The money being offered, coupled with how quickly the league has obtained funding, has been nothing short of staggering, with momentum exploding over the past fortnight.
Aside from the heavily increased playing contracts, the R360 seasons are currently scheduled to be shorter and players will also have increased ability to earn additional money off the field with fewer restraints.
If the NRL wants to stop a player exodus, waving a big stick may now not be the best course of action.
Collaborating with players and coming up with creative ways to reward them for their loyalty to the NRL may very well be the smartest move the NRL could make in coming weeks.
These are some of the steps taken during the dreaded Super League war of the 1990s.
By the sounds of things, the NRL is most certainly headed to war once again... just with a different sporting code.