As the rugby world braces against the insurgence of the rebel R360 league, Wallabies standout Len Ikitau, now with Exeter Chiefs, throws a spanner in the works with his open endorsement of the new competition. Despite the strong opposition from major rugby nations, Ikitau's fascination with R360's potential suggests a rift might be forming between traditional structures and the next generation of rugby competition.
Having secured a sabbatical from Rugby Australia to play in the PREM, Ikitau will skip the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season with the Brumbies, a move that underscores his commitment to exploring new horizons. This decision aligns with his recent comments on R360, which has been aggressively recruiting talent under the guidance of former England centre Mike Tindall. The league aims to globalize the sport further and has been dangling lucrative contracts to attract top players.
Yet, the backlash from traditional rugby powers has been swift and stern. A coalition including New Zealand, South Africa, England, France, Australia, Ireland, Scotland, and Italy has expressly stated that participation in R360 could cost players their eligibility for Test rugby and the World Cup. Against this backdrop, Ikitau expressed his mixed feelings:
"It's too bad that all the national unions are saying: 'if you play in that competition, you can't play in the World Cup.' You're kind of weighing up your options."
Ikitau's intrigue with R360 is palpable, though he remains committed to his current teams, stating, "I feel like a new competition for rugby would be awesome, but being a part of it, who knows? I think my manager's been in touch, but I’m here with Exeter, and then I’m back with the Brums next year."
This tension between new opportunities and traditional loyalties also plays out in Ikitau's international commitments. The centre will miss the initial matches of Australia's end-of-year tour, returning possibly for the game against Italy. His discussion with Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt revealed a pragmatic approach to managing his playing time:
"He just said 'no mate, take the week off and we’ll get you in for the Italy week.' So I’m just going to listen to the boss and play it by ear."
As the Wallabies gear up for their international fixtures, the debate surrounding R360 continues to simmer, promising to challenge the very fabric of professional rugby as it stands today.
2,193 posts
As the rugby world braces against the insurgence of the rebel R360 league, Wallabies standout Len Ikitau, now with Exeter Chiefs, throws a spanner in the works with his open endorsement of the new competition. Despite the strong opposition from major rugby nations, Ikitau's fascination with R360's potential suggests a rift might be forming between traditional structures and the next generation of rugby competition.
Having secured a sabbatical from Rugby Australia to play in the PREM, Ikitau will skip the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season with the Brumbies, a move that underscores his commitment to exploring new horizons. This decision aligns with his recent comments on R360, which has been aggressively recruiting talent under the guidance of former England centre Mike Tindall. The league aims to globalize the sport further and has been dangling lucrative contracts to attract top players.
Yet, the backlash from traditional rugby powers has been swift and stern. A coalition including New Zealand, South Africa, England, France, Australia, Ireland, Scotland, and Italy has expressly stated that participation in R360 could cost players their eligibility for Test rugby and the World Cup. Against this backdrop, Ikitau expressed his mixed feelings:
"It's too bad that all the national unions are saying: 'if you play in that competition, you can't play in the World Cup.' You're kind of weighing up your options."
Ikitau's intrigue with R360 is palpable, though he remains committed to his current teams, stating, "I feel like a new competition for rugby would be awesome, but being a part of it, who knows? I think my manager's been in touch, but I’m here with Exeter, and then I’m back with the Brums next year."
This tension between new opportunities and traditional loyalties also plays out in Ikitau's international commitments. The centre will miss the initial matches of Australia's end-of-year tour, returning possibly for the game against Italy. His discussion with Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt revealed a pragmatic approach to managing his playing time:
"He just said 'no mate, take the week off and we’ll get you in for the Italy week.' So I’m just going to listen to the boss and play it by ear."
As the Wallabies gear up for their international fixtures, the debate surrounding R360 continues to simmer, promising to challenge the very fabric of professional rugby as it stands today.