Ikitau Rejects R360: Prioritizes 2027 Rugby World Cup with Australia

Len Ikitau Prioritizes World Cup Over R360 Competition

Wallabies center Len Ikitau has confirmed that he would not join the rebel R360 league if it meant missing the opportunity to play in the 2027 World Cup. The 27-year-old player revealed that he was contacted by R360 to be part of the competition, which its organizers hope to start in October of next year. However, Ikitau was reluctant to participate, as it could cost him a place on the national team.

Being able to play in a Rugby World Cup, and having it be in Australia, I think is an opportunity that doesn’t come around twice.

Len Ikitau

Rugby Australia, along with major rugby unions such as New Zealand, England, Ireland, and France, announced that they would ban players from participating in international matches if they chose to join the breakaway league. The R360 competition aims to establish 12 franchises worldwide, including eight men’s and four women’s. The matches would be played in a traveling format, similar to Formula 1, with plans to organize events in Miami, London, and Tokyo.

The organizers claim to have the signatures of up to 200 international players and have set their sights on several Australian players, including prominent figures from the rugby league such as Reece Walsh, Nathan Cleary, and Payne Haas. Ikitau also commented on the new competition:

It looks like it’s going to be an exciting competition.

Len Ikitau

The player added that he was weighing his options due to the possibility of not being able to play in the World Cup if he participated in the new league. Ikitau, who recently joined Exeter on a one-year contract after the Rugby Championship, where Australia finished in third place, is now in England. He joined English center Henry Slade and winger Immanuel Feyi-Waboso. In an interview on Stan Sport’s “Between Two Posts” podcast, Ikitau revealed that he would not be available for the first two Wallabies matches at the end of the year against Japan on October 25 (AEDT) and England on November 2 (AEDT), but hopes to be available for the clash against Italy on November 9 (AEDT). Ikitau also shared details about his conversations with coach Joe Schmidt, indicating that he will take a break in the week of the match against England to be available for the match against Italy. He concluded by commenting on the Rugby Championship, expressing his disappointment with the last two matches (losses against New Zealand), but highlighting that the team is heading in the right direction.