Schmidt, DT Wallabies, analyzes R360 rebel league: Is rugby rival?

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has compared the R360 rugby competition proposal to the IPL of cricket, although he harbors doubts about its success. The ambitious independent rugby competition plans to establish teams in London, Miami, Tokyo, Dubai, Boston, Cape Town, Lisbon, and Madrid, with the start scheduled for October 2026. Each round of the tournament would be played in a different city, similar to the Rugby Sevens circuit. Contracts of up to $1.4 million per season will be offered, and players would participate in a draft to determine their destination. According to reports, several current Wallabies players and NRL stars have already been contacted. Rugby Australia is preparing to ban test players who decide to participate in the competition, which could cause a great stir ahead of the 2027 World Cup. The independent competition claims to have secured financial backing for three years. Schmidt, who considers himself an old-school traditionalist, has mixed feelings about the new proposed competition.

I think with a concept like 360, one tends to move away from the roots of the game.

Joe Schmidt

Schmidt expressed that he grew up in the roots of the game and that the proposal seems a bit strange to him.

It’s a bit like the IPL, isn’t it? It was transformative for cricket.

Joe Schmidt

Schmidt commented that he enjoys watching the Big Bash and thinks it’s a good concept.

At the same time, long-term cricket traditions, such as five-day cricket, or matches played over three or four days, still appeal to me.

Joe Schmidt

Schmidt isn’t sure what the new competition will look like and finds it difficult to predict. The Wallabies prop, Allan Alaalatoa, said he hasn’t looked too much into the new competition.

I wouldn’t know much about that, because I haven’t been contacted.

Allan Alaalatoa

Alaalatoa added that many players have signed until the 2027 World Cup, so they are focused on the next moment and giving their all for their state union and, most importantly, for the Wallabies. T20 cricket and competitions like the IPL helped attract a new generation of sports fans. Schmidt believes that rugby is already doing a good job of attracting children to the game.

We had a full stadium at Allianz, and there were many children.

Joe Schmidt

Schmidt mentioned that he has received incredible letters from children expressing their pride in supporting the Wallabies. Schmidt concluded that there is still a connection and that it is his responsibility to continue cultivating it.