In a spirited call for change, former England coach Eddie Jones has advocated for a radical overhaul of rugby to attract greater television revenue, following the unsuccessful launch of the R360 competition. This initiative, spearheaded last year by Rugby World Cup victor Mike Tindall, aimed to revolutionize the sport but stumbled due to insufficient interest and sponsorship, alongside resistance from traditionalists within the rugby community.
Jones, speaking on FanaticsTV, expressed his concerns about the financial health of the sport, particularly at the domestic level. "The game's very healthy internationally. It’s not healthy domestically. You’ve just got to see Super Rugby. It’s not healthy. English club rugby is not healthy. The French league is going well, and the Japanese league is basically propped up by companies," he noted. The need for innovation is clear if rugby is to thrive and expand its fan base.
"We need a revolution in rugby to allow new fans to come to the game and have something a little bit different from what we’ve got now,"
The R360 league was envisioned as a fresh, dynamic competition modeled after Formula 1, aiming to inject excitement and attract substantial television deals, which are crucial for the sport's financial sustainability. "R360 had this concept, this F1 concept, which would have been exciting, but could it make money? Could it attract television? Because they need more television money in rugby," Jones elaborated.
Despite the potential, the project's failure to launch has cast doubts on its revival. "I think once you’ve had a go, mate, you haven’t been able to do it, I think it’d be difficult to do again," Jones remarked, reflecting on the challenges faced by the initiative. The lack of enthusiasm from investors, despite having notable players like NRL star Zac Lomax on board, was a significant hurdle. Lomax, after being released from his NRL contract in anticipation of joining R360, found himself without a team when the league folded. A subsequent legal ruling barred him from rejoining NRL until late 2028, leading him to sign with Rugby Australia and the Western Force.
Jones's critique highlights a crucial juncture for rugby: the sport must evolve to captivate new audiences and secure the financial investments necessary for its growth. The conversation around R360 and its implications continues to stir the rugby world, urging stakeholders to reconsider how the game is structured and presented in the modern era.
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In a spirited call for change, former England coach Eddie Jones has advocated for a radical overhaul of rugby to attract greater television revenue, following the unsuccessful launch of the R360 competition. This initiative, spearheaded last year by Rugby World Cup victor Mike Tindall, aimed to revolutionize the sport but stumbled due to insufficient interest and sponsorship, alongside resistance from traditionalists within the rugby community.
Jones, speaking on FanaticsTV, expressed his concerns about the financial health of the sport, particularly at the domestic level. "The game's very healthy internationally. It’s not healthy domestically. You’ve just got to see Super Rugby. It’s not healthy. English club rugby is not healthy. The French league is going well, and the Japanese league is basically propped up by companies," he noted. The need for innovation is clear if rugby is to thrive and expand its fan base.
"We need a revolution in rugby to allow new fans to come to the game and have something a little bit different from what we’ve got now,"
The R360 league was envisioned as a fresh, dynamic competition modeled after Formula 1, aiming to inject excitement and attract substantial television deals, which are crucial for the sport's financial sustainability. "R360 had this concept, this F1 concept, which would have been exciting, but could it make money? Could it attract television? Because they need more television money in rugby," Jones elaborated.
Despite the potential, the project's failure to launch has cast doubts on its revival. "I think once you’ve had a go, mate, you haven’t been able to do it, I think it’d be difficult to do again," Jones remarked, reflecting on the challenges faced by the initiative. The lack of enthusiasm from investors, despite having notable players like NRL star Zac Lomax on board, was a significant hurdle. Lomax, after being released from his NRL contract in anticipation of joining R360, found himself without a team when the league folded. A subsequent legal ruling barred him from rejoining NRL until late 2028, leading him to sign with Rugby Australia and the Western Force.
Jones's critique highlights a crucial juncture for rugby: the sport must evolve to captivate new audiences and secure the financial investments necessary for its growth. The conversation around R360 and its implications continues to stir the rugby world, urging stakeholders to reconsider how the game is structured and presented in the modern era.