![\"Roger](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/1d967f04b46318f7968e3d99df24770ad051c7a1.jpeg\")
<\/p>\nThe 32-year-old, who is on around $550,000 at the Warriors next year, still has one more year to run on his current deal but is poised to double his salary in the twilight of his career if the new competition gets off the ground.<\/p>\n
\u201cRoger comes off his current NRL contract in 2026, and as part of that planning, I threw this in front of him and asked if he had any interest in this option,\u201d Tuivasa-Sheck\u2019s agent Bruce Sharrock said of the R360 offer.<\/p>\n
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Roger Tuivasa-Sheck could be leaving rugby league again.Credit: Getty<\/p>\n
\u201cHe said, \u2018Why wouldn\u2019t I?\u2019 I\u2019ve always encouraged all my players to look at all options, and that\u2019s where we are at right now.\u201d<\/p>\n
The competition needs to hit three major triggers to secure private equity funding before it can become a reality.<\/p>\n
The first is to have the franchises purchased and legally drafted. The second requires the confirmation of a broadcast partner, while the third element of the deal requires organisers to secure 200 players. All three targets must be reached by the end of September.<\/p>\n
Danny Townsend \u2013 the CEO of SURJ Sports Investment, the sports arm of Saudi Arabia\u2019s Public Investment Fund, \u2013 says the concept isn\u2019t being backed by them despite reports suggesting they were looking to join forces with competition organisers.<\/p>\n
![\"Joseph-Aukuso](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/c7b7cd5585de3e66126f72cb82727c7f9bde2244.jpeg\")
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Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii of the Wallabies is tackled during the Lions match over the weekend.Credit: Getty Images<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve not had any conversations with R360 and at this stage are not looking at any rugby investment,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
ARL Commission chairman Peter V\u2019landys recently warned players of the risk of signing with R360.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhoever goes with them, if they are going to go with them, they are taking an almighty risk because no-one has seen a business model, no-one has seen how they are going to generate revenue,\u201d V\u2019landys recently told News Corp.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s like anything \u2013 if it seems to be too good to be true, it just might be. It\u2019s like when you make an investment. You might get a greater return, but you\u2019re also taking a bigger risk. The first thing I would ask myself is how are they going to pay for this. I would want to understand how they are going to fund it,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI would caution players to do a risk analysis. We\u2019re keeping an eye on it but everything so far, you can\u2019t substantiate how it will happen.\u201d<\/p>\n
In Sydney for an announcement for 2027 Rugby World Cup tickets, World Rugby boss Alan Gilpin addressed the R360 concept, which would require WR sign off to get up and running.<\/p>\n
Gilpin said the competition would need to observe the existing \u201cRegulation 9\u201d release windows for players to be able to play Test rugby for their countries through the year.<\/p>\n
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Theoretically, it could open the door for Papenhuyzen, and other NRL recruits, to be called up by the Wallabies.<\/p>\n
Rugby Australia\u2019s current policy is that players must compete in Super Rugby to be eligible for Test selection, but the Wallabies coach can pick three offshore based players per series under the \u201cGiteau Law\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need to have a dialogue with those guys when they are ready to do that. Rugby needs investment. Rugby is, and Australia is, a great example, in a really competitive environment,\u201d Gilpin said of R360.<\/p>\n
\u201cAround the world, every sport and beyond sport is competing in an ever more difficult attention economy. Investment into the game is great. As long as that investment is driving into the right areas and creating a more financially sustainable game for players, for the wider ecosystem, then we encourage it. We\u2019ve got to understand what that means in the R360 case.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe position is that whatever competitions arise, we know players want to play international rugby. In our sport, the international game is the pinnacle of the game. Players want to play in World Cups, they want to play in the Olympic Games … Whatever new concepts, whether it is R360 or otherwise, which are being discussed with players, Regulation 9 and that whole concept of player release for defined international windows is key.\u201d<\/p>\n
All nine matches of The British & Irish Lions Tour to Australia are live & on demand on Stan <\/a>Sport, with Wallabies Tests in 4K. All Test matches live and free on Channel 9 & 9Now.<\/a><\/p>\n