Schmidt evaluates rebel league R360: A threat to the Wallabies and the 2027 World Cup?

Joe Schmidt Compares New R360 Rugby Competition to Cricket’s IPL, But Expresses Doubts

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has compared the proposed R360 rugby competition to the Indian Premier League (IPL) of cricket, although he has expressed doubts about its success. According to the ambitious plans, this new rugby competition will feature teams based in London, Miami, Tokyo, Dubai, Boston, Cape Town, Lisbon, and Madrid, with a start date scheduled for October 2026. Each round will 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 will be selected via a draft to determine where they will play. It is reported that several current Wallabies players, as well as NRL stars, have already been contacted. Rugby Australia is preparing to ban players who choose to participate in this competition, which could cause a major stir ahead of the 2027 World Cup. The competition claims to have secured financial backing for three years. Schmidt, who considers himself a traditionalist, has mixed feelings about the proposed new competition.

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

Joe Schmidt

Schmidt added: “That’s where I was, practically immersed in the roots of the game when I was a kid. So it’s a bit strange, but I guess it’s a bit like the IPL, isn’t it? That transformed cricket to some extent.” “I have to say that 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 them.” “So if the balance can be maintained… I’m not sure about many things and how it will really be, it’s hard to predict.”

Wallabies prop Allan Alaalatoa said he hadn’t delved too deeply into the new competition. “I don’t know much about that, because I haven’t been contacted,” Alaalatoa said. “From a player’s perspective, many of us have signed up to the home World Cup in 2027. So, as players, we are focused on the next moment and giving everything we have to the state union and now, most importantly, to the Wallabies.” T20 cricket and competitions like the IPL helped attract a new generation of sports fans. Schmidt believes rugby is already doing enough to attract children to the game. “We had a full stadium at Allianz, and there were a lot of kids,” Schmidt said, referring to the Wallabies’ recent match against Argentina in Sydney. “And I’ve received incredible letters from kids who say how proud they are to support the Wallabies and things like that.” “I still think there’s a connection there, and it’s our responsibility to keep cultivating that connection.”