R360 Boss Addresses Player Recruitment
Mike Tindall, head of the R360 rugby union competition, has addressed allegations that the league recruited NRL players who were still under contract. Tindall denied these claims, stating that R360 has acted appropriately despite criticism from figures like ARLC chairman Peter V’landys.
Player Initiative and Transition Challenges
Tindall asserted that R360 did not actively target NRL players. Instead, he claimed that players and their agents initiated contact to explore alternative career opportunities, citing the demanding nature of the NRL season. He also highlighted the specific challenges for NRL players transitioning to rugby union, noting that primarily only those who play in the back three positions would find the switch manageable. He referenced Sam Burgess's experience moving from South Sydney to the England rugby team in 2015 as an example of the difficulty involved.
Player Movements and Competition Delay
Several NRL players had been linked with a move to R360. Zac Lomax and Ryan Papenhuyzen were notable examples, both having secured early releases from their NRL contracts with the Eels and Storm, respectively. However, their plans were impacted when the scheduled launch of R360 was postponed from 2026 to 2028. Following this delay, Lomax is reportedly now pursuing a return to the NRL, potentially with the Storm.