Proposed global rugby league competition R360 has delayed its launch until 2028, organisers announced on Friday.
The competition, which had been aggressively pursuing signings of top NRL talent, including Zac Lomax and Ryan Papenhuyzen, cited “greater commercial certainty and a significantly more favourable environment for players and fans” for the delay.
The move leaves those stars, who had their deals with the Eels and Storm respectively ended, in limbo for two years.
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It also means Payne Haas, who has been heavily linked with a switch, may have little choice but to remain in the NRL in the short-term.
“The decision to shift our launch to 2028 is a strategic decision based on timing,” former England centre Mike Tindall, who is fronting the new league, said in a statement.
“Launching under compressed timelines would not meet the standards we set for R360, nor would it deliver the long-term commercial impact that the sport deserves.”
MORE TO COME
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