Schmidt doubts the R360 rebel league: Are they a threat to the Wallabies?

Joe Schmidt Compares the R360 to the IPL, but Expresses Doubts

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has compared the R360 rugby competition proposal to the Indian Premier League (IPL) of cricket, although he has expressed doubts about its success. According to the ambitious plans, this rugby competition will feature teams based in London, Miami, Tokyo, Dubai, Boston, Cape Town, Lisbon, and Madrid, with a planned start date of October 2026. Each round of the competition will be held in a different city, similar to the Rugby Sevens circuit. Contracts of up to $1.4 million per season will be offered, and players will participate in a draft to determine where they end up. According to reports, several current Wallabies players have already been contacted, as well as stars from the National Rugby League (NRL). Rugby Australia is preparing to blacklist test players who decide to participate in the competition, which could cause a major shock ahead of the 2027 World Cup. The separatist competition claims to have secured financial backing for three years. Schmidt, who considers himself an old-school traditionalist, has mixed feelings about the new competition proposal.

I think with a concept like 360, one tends to move away from the roots of the game.

Joe Schmidt

Schmidt added that he feels very identified with the roots of the game, as he grew up in them.

So it’s a little strange, but I guess it’s a bit like the IPL, isn’t it? Where that was transformative to some degree for cricket.

Joe Schmidt

Schmidt also expressed his liking for the Big Bash, but highlighted the importance of long-term cricket traditions.

At the same time, you already know the long-term traditions of cricket, such as five-day cricket, or matches that are played for three or four days, I still see appeal in them.

Joe Schmidt

Wallabies prop Allan Alaalatoa said he hadn’t delved too deeply into the new competition.

I wouldn’t know much about that, because I haven’t been contacted.

Allan Alaalatoa

Alaalatoa added that the players are focused on the next moment and giving their all to their state union and, above all, to the Wallabies. Schmidt believes that rugby is already doing a good job of attracting children to the game.

We had a full stadium at Allianz, and there were a lot of kids. And I’ve received some incredible letters from kids saying how proud they are to support the Wallabies and things like that. I still think there’s a connection there, and it’s our responsibility to keep cultivating that connection.

Joe Schmidt