Rugby360 (R360), the burgeoning rebel rugby competition, has fired back at international unions after they warned players about the repercussions of joining the breakaway league. Spearheaded by former England centre Mike Tindall, R360 aims to revolutionize rugby by making it more globally appealing. Despite attempts to work alongside existing unions and prioritize player welfare, R360 faced unified opposition from major rugby nations expressing concerns over the potential fragmentation of the sport.
Just this Tuesday, a collective of powerhouse rugby nations including New Zealand, South Africa, England, France, Australia, Ireland, Scotland, and Italy issued a stark warning. They declared that players who participate in R360 will be ineligible for Test rugby, framing the competition as a threat to the sport's integrity and sustainability. The unions' joint statement highlighted, "We all welcome new investment and innovation in rugby; and support ideas that can help the game evolve and reach new audiences; but any new competition must strengthen the sport as a whole, not fragment or weaken it."
"It’s not always easy to embrace new opportunities, but as we’ve seen throughout history, it’s essential to grow any sport,"
In retaliation, R360 questioned the unions' resistance to their model, which promises to integrate with the international rugby calendar and allow players to represent their countries. "Our philosophy is clear – if players want to play for their country, they should have that opportunity. Why would unions stand in their way?" stated R360, revealing plans to ensure player availability for national duty and reduce the wear and tear on athletes with a more thoughtful scheduling approach.
R360 remains optimistic about receiving sanctioning from the World Rugby Council next summer, intending to launch the series as planned. The league has been designed with separate schedules for men's and women's teams and emphasizes reducing player load while capturing a new generation of global fans. As the tug-of-war between traditional structures and innovative ventures continues, the rugby world watches keenly, waiting to see if R360 can indeed play ball with the established guardians of the game.
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Rugby360 (R360), the burgeoning rebel rugby competition, has fired back at international unions after they warned players about the repercussions of joining the breakaway league. Spearheaded by former England centre Mike Tindall, R360 aims to revolutionize rugby by making it more globally appealing. Despite attempts to work alongside existing unions and prioritize player welfare, R360 faced unified opposition from major rugby nations expressing concerns over the potential fragmentation of the sport.
Just this Tuesday, a collective of powerhouse rugby nations including New Zealand, South Africa, England, France, Australia, Ireland, Scotland, and Italy issued a stark warning. They declared that players who participate in R360 will be ineligible for Test rugby, framing the competition as a threat to the sport's integrity and sustainability. The unions' joint statement highlighted, "We all welcome new investment and innovation in rugby; and support ideas that can help the game evolve and reach new audiences; but any new competition must strengthen the sport as a whole, not fragment or weaken it."
"It’s not always easy to embrace new opportunities, but as we’ve seen throughout history, it’s essential to grow any sport,"
In retaliation, R360 questioned the unions' resistance to their model, which promises to integrate with the international rugby calendar and allow players to represent their countries. "Our philosophy is clear – if players want to play for their country, they should have that opportunity. Why would unions stand in their way?" stated R360, revealing plans to ensure player availability for national duty and reduce the wear and tear on athletes with a more thoughtful scheduling approach.
R360 remains optimistic about receiving sanctioning from the World Rugby Council next summer, intending to launch the series as planned. The league has been designed with separate schedules for men's and women's teams and emphasizes reducing player load while capturing a new generation of global fans. As the tug-of-war between traditional structures and innovative ventures continues, the rugby world watches keenly, waiting to see if R360 can indeed play ball with the established guardians of the game.