Joe Schmidt Analyzes the New R360 Rugby Competition
Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has compared the proposed R360 rugby competition to the Indian Premier League (IPL) of cricket, although he harbors doubts about its success. The ambitious plans of the independent rugby competition include teams based in London, Miami, Tokyo, Dubai, Boston, Cape Town, Lisbon, and Madrid, with a planned start date of October 2026. Each round of the competition will be held in a different city, similar to the Rugby Sevens circuit. Contracts of up to $1.4 million per season will be offered, and players will enter a draw to determine where they will play. According to reports, several current Wallabies players have already been contacted, as well as National Rugby League (NRL) stars. Rugby Australia is preparing to ban test players who choose to participate in the competition, which could cause a major shock ahead of the 2027 World Cup. The independent competitor claims to have secured financial backing for three years. Schmidt, who considers himself an old-school traditionalist, has mixed feelings about the proposed new competition.I think with a concept like 360, you tend to move away from the roots of the game.
Joe Schmidt
Schmidt also expressed his enjoyment of the Big Bash, but also the importance of long-term cricket traditions.And that’s where I was, practically immersed in the roots of the game when I was a kid. So it’s a bit alien, but I guess it’s a bit like the IPL, right?, where that was transformative to some degree for cricket.
Joe Schmidt
The coach concluded by expressing uncertainty about the R360 competition and its impact on rugby. Wallabies prop Allan Alaalatoa said he hadn’t delved too deeply into the new competition.I have to say I really enjoy watching the Big Bash. I think it’s a very good concept. At the same time, you know the long-term traditions of cricket, like five-day cricket, or matches that are played over three or four days. I still see appeal in those.
Joe Schmidt
Alaalatoa emphasized the players’ focus on the present and on giving their best to their state union and, above all, to the Wallabies. Schmidt believes that rugby is already doing a good job of attracting children to the game.I wouldn’t know much about that, because I haven’t been contacted. From a player’s perspective, many of us have signed up to the home World Cup in 2027.
Allan Alaalatoa
Schmidt highlighted the existing connection with the young fanatics and the responsibility to continue cultivating that connection.We had a full stadium at Allianz, and there were many children.
Joe Schmidt
