Len Ikitau Prioritizes World Cup Over R360 Competition
Wallabies center Len Ikitau has made it clear that he will not join the R360 competition if that means missing the opportunity to play in the 2027 World Cup. The 27-year-old player revealed that he was contacted by the organizers of R360, who plan to start the competition in October of next year. However, Ikitau expressed his reluctance to participate, as it could affect his place in the national team.Ikitau’s decision is based on his desire to represent Australia in the 2027 World Cup. The Australian Rugby Union, along with other major unions such as New Zealand, England, Ireland, and France, announced that they will ban players from participating in international matches if they join the independent league. The R360 competition aims to establish 12 franchises worldwide, with eight men’s teams and four women’s teams. The matches would be played in a traveling format, similar to Formula 1, with events planned in Miami, London, and Tokyo.Being able to play in a Rugby World Cup, and for it to be in Australia, I think it’s an opportunity that doesn’t come around again.
Len Ikitau

Ikitau reflected on the situation, noting that the possibility of not being able to play in the World Cup is an important factor to consider. Currently, Ikitau is in Exeter with a one-year contract. The player will also be back with the Brumbies next year. Ikitau recently arrived in Exeter after the Rugby Championship, where Australia finished in third place with two wins in six matches. He joins Henry Slade and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso in the team. In the podcast Between Two Posts, the center revealed that he will not be available for the first two Wallabies matches at the end of the year against Japan on October 25 and against England on November 2, but hopes to be available for the match against Italy on November 9. Ikitau commented on his conversation with Joe Schmidt, explaining that he had offered to join the team for training during the week of the match against England, but Schmidt advised him to rest and prepare for the match against Italy.It looks like it will be an exciting competition.
Len Ikitau