Ikitau Rejects R360: Prioritizes 2027 World Cup with Australia

Len Ikitau Prioritizes World Cup Over R360 Competition

The Wallabies center, Len Ikitau, has expressed his position regarding the possibility of joining the new R360 competition. The player has made it clear that he would not participate in the rebel league if that meant losing the opportunity to play in the 2027 World Cup. Ikitau, 27 years old, revealed that he was contacted by R360, a competition expected to begin in October of next year. However, the Australian player was reluctant to participate, considering that it could affect his place in the national team.

Being able to play in a Rugby World Cup, and also in Australia, is an opportunity that doesn’t come around again.

Len Ikitau

Ikitau’s decision is based on his desire to represent Australia in the 2027 World Cup, a goal he considers a priority in his career. The Rugby Union of Australia, along with other major unions such as New Zealand, England, Ireland, and France, has announced that it will not allow players who join the independent league to participate in international matches. The R360 competition aims to establish 12 franchises worldwide, including 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 cities like Miami, London, and Tokyo.

The organizers claim to have received the signature of about 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.

Len Ikitau

Ikitau reflected on the crossroads facing players when having to choose between the new league and participation in the World Cup. The player admitted that his agent has been in contact with the competition, but for now, his focus is on his current team, Exeter, and returning to the Brums next year. Ikitau, who recently joined Exeter on a one-year contract after the Rugby Championship, where Australia finished in third place with two wins in six matches, is currently in the team alongside English center Henry Slade and winger Immanuel Feyi-Waboso. The team is looking to recover from their penultimate position in the Premiership last season. In an interview on Stan Sport’s “Between Two Posts” podcast, the center revealed that he would not be available for the Wallabies’ first two end-of-year test matches 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 mentioned that he spoke with coach Joe Schmidt, who told him to take the week off and that he would join for the match against Italy.