Len Ikitau Prioritizes World Cup Over R360 Competition
Wallabies center Len Ikitau has stated that he would not join the rebel R360 league if it meant losing the opportunity to play in the 2027 World Cup.
Ikitau, 27 years old, admitted to having been contacted by R360 to join the competition, which the organizers hope to start next October. However, the player is reluctant to participate, given that 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 that opportunity doesn’t come around again.
Len Ikitau
Rugby Australia, along with other major rugby unions such as New Zealand, England, Ireland, and France, announced that they will ban players from participating in international matches if they choose to join the separatist 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 plans to hold events in Miami, London, and Tokyo.The organizers claim to have the signatures of up to 200 international players and have targeted several in Australia, including high-profile rugby league stars such as Reece Walsh, Nathan Cleary, and Payne Haas.
Ikitau commented that the new competition seems exciting. However, he considers that the options must be weighed, since participating in it could prevent him from playing in the World Cup.
The player added that his agent has been in contact with the competition, but is currently focused on his contract with Exeter and will then return to the Brumbies next year.
Ikitau recently joined Exeter on a one-year contract after the Rugby Championship. In this tournament, Australia finished in third place with two wins in six matches.
The center joins England’s Henry Slade and winger Immanuel Feyi-Waboso in the team, which is looking to bounce back after finishing second-to-last in the Premiership last season.
Ikitau revealed that he will 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 match against Italy on November 9 (AEDT).
The player explained that he spoke with Joe Schmidt, coach, to try to join the team in the week of the match against England, but the coach suggested that he rest that week and join for the match against Italy.
Ikitau concluded by saying that he is disappointed by the last two Rugby Championship matches (losses against New Zealand), but that the team is heading in the right direction.
