Schmidt, DT Wallabies, evaluates R360 rebel league: Is it a threat to rugby?

Joe Schmidt Compares the New R360 Rugby League to the Cricket IPL

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has compared the proposed R360 rugby competition to the Indian Premier League (IPL) of cricket, although he expresses doubts about its success. This rugby league, with ambitious plans, plans to include teams from London, Miami, Tokyo, Dubai, Boston, Cape Town, Lisbon and Madrid, with a start date planned for October 2026.

Each round of the competition would 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 and National Rugby League (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, which will be held at home. The 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, you move away from the roots of the game.

Joe Schmidt

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt. Schmidt went on to explain that the new league could be similar to the IPL, which transformed cricket. Although he enjoys watching Big Bash, he also values the traditions of long-form cricket. Wallabies prop Allan Alaalatoa said he hasn’t thoroughly investigated the new competition. Alaalatoa explained that many players have signed until the 2027 World Cup and that his focus is on giving his all for his state union and, most importantly, for the Wallabies. Schmidt believes that rugby is already doing a good job of attracting children to the game. Schmidt mentioned the recent Wallabies match against Argentina in Sydney, where the stadium was full and there were many children. Schmidt added that there is still a connection and that it is the team’s responsibility to continue cultivating it.