The rebel rugby competition R360 has continued adding to its NRL hit list, eyeing yet another rugby league gun to join their breakaway organisation.
R360 have now reportedly added Sydney Roosters centre Billy Smith to its growing list of targets as it continues its aggressive push to lure NRL talent to the rival code.
According to Wide World of Sports, Smith is the next name on R360’s recruitment radar following reports that Zac Lomax is “as good as signed,” while Ryan Papenhuyzen and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck are also set to make the switch.
Sources have revealed that Smith’s resilience and class have made him an attractive prospect after overcoming several serious knee injuries to cement his place in the Roosters’ backline.
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 23: Billy Smith playing in the NRL match between Penrith Panthers and Sydney Roosters at CommBank Stadium, on August 23, 2025, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Joshua Davis/Zero Digital Sports)
The 26-year-old Smith remains contracted to the Roosters until the end of 2027, but the emerging competition has already shown its willingness to splash cash, with Lomax walking away from a four-year, $2.8 million deal to join R360 despite the NRL’s threat of a 10-year ban.
Smith’s departure would deal another blow to the Roosters, who have already been hit hard by rugby union poaching in recent years.
Star centres Joseph Manu and Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i have both defected to the 15-man code, while Mark Nawaqanitawase is set to follow suit.
Angus Crichton has also been linked with rugby switch in recent months.
No formal approach has yet been made to Smith, but sources suggest R360’s pursuit is intensifying, and with NRL clubs unable to match the lucrative offers on the table, the code war shows no signs of slowing down.