Rugby breakaway league coming. (R360)

[mdaclarke]

Four leading Springboks sign up for rugby’s R360 global league

Exclusive: Around 160 men have signed pre-contractual agreements with league – including 10 players who have represented England

www.telegraph.co.uk

'It is understood that R360 and the RFU were involved in informal conversations in Australia. Another source declared themselves "95 per cent confident" that the initiative would come to pass, suggesting that the key question has become "will it work?" rather than "will it happen?"'

Louis Rees-Zammit the only person mentioned as likely to sign up, Cheslin Kolbe, Henry Pollock and Wallace Sititi said to have not signed up. Irish and NZ players not being attracted but English, South African, Argentine and Pacific Islanders ones are with 10 unnamed ones having signed up (Could be massive headaches for Steve Hrothwixk in October when those could be named).

Feels like in terms of the World Cup England could be most affected because all the others being said fo be getting players signed up don't have total bans on selection if not playing at home.

I will believe it when I see it.

MLR rugby doesn't seem to be working in the USA. They have NFL, NBA, MLB etc.

Of, Barcelona, Buenos Aires, Cape Town, London, Los Angeles, Sao Paolo, Melbourne and Munich, only 4 are rugby strongholds. The time zone and jet lag will be horrific. Time zones will also be an issue for TV audiences. Also are fans from non-rugby playing countries going to come in required numbers paying enough money to pay its way?

200 players earning £500k each plus other expenses, looking at £100 million minimum.

I just don't see how it will anything other than a massive loss making enterprise. Even (and it's a big if) it gets off the ground. I predict that it won't even last a season before the wheels come off and the money runs out.

If my some miracle it does work, then Rassie would probably be OK with it as he will see it as another Japan, where players can be parked an earn a fortune, making up space for other players in the Club Sides.

Not sure about the other national coaches though.

 

[Reiser99]

Until there is a name other than LRZ who has no contract with anyone then I don't believe it. At the moment it's probably a few fringe players signing an expression of interest to keep their options open or signing a very convoluted contract that gives them lots of outs if conditions aren't met.

 

[mdaclarke]

Whilst I don't think this will get off the ground, in the event it does I hope these players are getting big signing on fees.

It is all well and good having a £3 million pound contract over 3 years, if the company goes bust after 2 months and you're an unsecured creditor and at the back of the queue.

Especially as the clubs will not sit on their hands and will recruit replacement players, there may not be squad places and money for these players when they return cap in hand to the clubs and unions.

 

[Rugbyfan564]

 

[Saintjay]

Still it's all looking to sign, hope to sign, has interest from. I'll take them serious when they name players who've signed.

 

[Becca]

I read that 4 South Africans had signed, on an SA message board.

 

[mdaclarke]

No names though.

 

[Rinkadink]

I think this will have legs, at least for the short term.

I hope as rugby fans we meet it with the hostility it deserves and this breakaway thing goes away, never to return.

I wouldn't be against some kind of breakaway from the RFU or even WR in principle, but it would absolutely have to involve existing clubs at the very least and be done with best intentions in mind. This proposal seemingly has none of that.

 

[Becca]

No names though.

Nope.
The post says they’ve signed legally binding pre-contracts.

We may find out who these mystery men are one day……or maybe not !

 

[Rugbyfan564]

I'm surprised nobody in South Africa hasn't named them yet - even with it being less of story there as World Rugby do not seem to be objecting that much and South Africa doesn’t care where its players are playing as long as they turn up for duty

 

[mdaclarke]

I'm surprised nobody in South Africa hasn't named them yet - even with it being less of story there as World Rugby do not seem to be objecting that much and South Africa doesn't care where its players are playing as long as they turn up for duty

This I do agree with. Provided the players are made available for the Boks when he needs them, Rassie will see it as just another Japan Top League.

 

[Which Tyler]

Nope.
The post says they've signed legally binding pre-contracts.

We may find out who these mystery men are one day……or maybe not !

Pre-contracts huh...

 

[Becca]

Pre-contracts huh...

Oh yes….

 

[Seeker]

Pre-contracts? Who's their attorney?

 

[Reiser99]

And those pre-contracts could be anywhere from 'If we actually get this off the ground you must play to we have the right to negotiate with you as you've expressed an interest'

 

[Ddanno]

Pretty bored with this charade now. Every article is just vague PR ********.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

I mean you don't need to open the thread tbf
At least it's all contained to one thread pretty much

 

[Ddanno]

I mean you don't need to open the thread tbf
At least it's all contained to one thread pretty much

I mean in general really, every outlet is puffing it up with meaningless articles claiming that various unnamed players may be considering, perhaps, possibly, just might sign up for this.

 

[mdaclarke]

South Africa unaware of any current Boks signing for R360.

Boks not allowed to play in rebel league

SA Rugby is reportedly unaware of any current Springboks who have signed contracts with the R360 breakaway league.

www.sarugbymag.co.za

This doesn't feel like LIV to me. When LIV was taking shape, players/LIV were going public announcing they had signed contracts. With R360 it is just vague rumours.

I have family in South Africa and they say that the Springboks are not like any other national team, it is the one thing that unites the nation and has a special place in the nation.

I would be surprised if any high profile current Boks, or any up and coming Boks would ever agree to this, if it meant they could no longer play for the Boks. Especially as they can earn similar money in France and Japan and still be eligible for the Boks.

 

[Rugbyfan564]

I can’t read the full article but in the Rugby Paper Ben Youngs has backed the launch of R360 and it reports they are rumours Joe Marler is thinking of coming out retirement to play in it, Henry Slade, George Ford and Jamie George being heavily targeted to be the big English names.