Wallabies center Len Ikitau has stated his decision not to join the R360 competition, a rebel league, if it meant losing the opportunity to participate in the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
The 27-year-old player admitted to having been contacted by R360 to be part of their project, which is expected to start in October of next year. However, Ikitau was reluctant to accept, as it could compromise his place in the national team.
“The chance to play in a Rugby World Cup, and moreover in Australia, is an opportunity that doesn’t come around twice,” Ikitau told reporters upon his arrival in Exeter.
Len Ikitau
The Australian Rugby Union, along with other major unions such as New Zealand, England, Ireland, and France, have announced that they will not allow their players to participate in international matches if they choose to join the independent league.
The R360 competition plans to have 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 scheduled in cities like Miami, London, and Tokyo.The league 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.
“It looks like it will be an exciting competition,” added Ikitau.
“If playing in that competition prevents you from participating in the World Cup, you have to weigh your options. I think a new competition for rugby would be incredible, but being a part of it, who knows?”, reflected the center.
“I think my agent has been in contact, but I’m here with Exeter, and then I’ll be back with the Brums next year.”
Ikitau recently arrived in Exeter to fulfill a one-year contract after the Rugby Championship, where Australia finished in third place with two wins in six matches. The team had a promising start with a victory over the Springboks in Johannesburg and an incredible win over the Pumas in Townsville.
They join English center Henry Slade and winger Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, as the team looks to recover from a penultimate place in the Premiership last season.
In 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 hoped to be available for the match against Italy on November 9 (AEDT).
“I was talking to Joe (Schmidt) last week, and I was trying to tell him that I would come for the England week to do my weekly training because I know how much Joe likes it when the guys are in the team at training,” Ikitau said.
“He just said ‘no, mate, take the week off and we’ll have you in the Italy week. So I’m going to listen to the boss and see what happens.
“Building on the Rugby Championship, obviously disappointed with the last two matches (losses against New Zealand), but we are going in the right direction.”
