NZ Warriors winger and 2019 Golden Boot winner, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, is set to leave rugby league for the second time in his career, after reports have surfaced that he could join R360, a breakaway rugby union competition.
Fronted by former England Rugby Union international, Mike Tindall, R360 is a new league in the 15-man code, that is set to be a ‘tier above’ club rugby.
Tuivasa-Sheck has already made a switch to rugby union in his career, after playing for the Blues and Auckland in 2022 and 2023, as well as the All Blacks national team.
Reports from CityAM’s Frank Dalleres say that the 32-year-old would be a huge coup for the competition, and reports from Zero Tackle, mention that Melbourne Storm full back Ryan Papenhuyzen is also a target.
The NZ Warriors are having a brilliant season in the NRL, as they currently sit fourth in the ladder, just four points off top spot.
Tuivasa-Sheck has scored seven tries in 10 appearances this campaign, and is out of contract at the end of 2026, something R360 are hoping to use to their advantage.
The breakaway competition are set to poach off-contract NRL stars from their current clubs, and if they manage to get a deal done for after their current deal expires, they will not have to pay any compensation for their signature.
Reports also say that, with funding that is backed by shareholders in Saudi Arabia, the US and the UK, contracts from $1 million up to $40 million per year are set to be offered.
Is R360 a threat to rugby league?
In Dalleres’ report, he also spoke to Warriors chief Cameron George, who warned the NRL that R360 could and would pick off emerging NRL talent, due to more money being offered.
George said: “I raised it at a recent CEO’s meeting to ensure everyone’s aware of the real and genuine Rugby 360 concept.”
He added: “I’m aware of players that have been interviewed and engaged with. I’m aware of the significant financial opportunities that it could bring, particularly around the branding of the players as individuals.
He continued: “I needed to alert everyone so that they are across this and what it could bring in the next few years, because it’s a real and genuine concept that is growing momentum and could be quite attractive to any number of players.
