Three All Blacks legends believe that the mooted rebel league is a genuine threat to the sport’s established order and insist that World Rugby must take action.
R360, which is fronted by England World Cup winner Mike Tindall and is reportedly backed by big money, has been gaining traction over recent months.
They are looking to attract rugby’s biggest stars and it is understood that they have already convinced 160 players to sign up, providing it of course goes ahead.
Initial plans are for it to start in September next year, but there are still a number of obstacles to overcome before it can truly get off the ground.
New Zealand Test centurion Mils Muliaina is concerned, however. He reckons that it is “game-changer” for the sport but not necessarily in a positive way.
‘World Rugby will be worried’
“It’s definitely a game-changer and it’s definitely got some legs behind it now. A couple of months ago, you thought it would never get off the ground,” he said on The Breakdown.
“World Rugby will be worried, the competitions will be worried. They have signed a few players.
“It’s the window it’s going to be in. During Super Rugby, what does it look like? If I was World Rugby, I would be really worried right now. What does it look like?”
Fellow All Blacks legend Jeff Wilson agreed but was even more dramatic in his assessment, with the competition potentially clashing with the world’s top leagues.
“This basically would devastate every competition across the world because they are all the same windows,” Wilson said.
“They are talking about playing the same time as the Top 14, Japan Rugby League One, Super Rugby; all of a sudden you’re filling out squads of players from around the world.
“You want to have credibility so you are trying to take the best from New Zealand, the best from South Africa, Australia.
“This is something World Rugby will have to deal with, and this is probably the truest test of professionalism.”
‘Highest-profile’ Springboks sign up for rebel league as R360 turn attention to Ardie Savea
Up to 10 England players who have featured in Test rugby over the past year have reportedly made pre-contractual agreements, while it was claimed that four ‘high-profile’ Springboks have also signed up, although that has since been denied.
No All Blacks stars have followed suit, however, with one allegedly turning down a $12million deal over three-seasons in order to re-sign with New Zealand Rugby.
R360 have also targeted several of rugby league’s best, with the 13-a-side code also concerned by the rebel league threat, and Wilson believes that could have significant ramifications later down the line.
Relinquishing the All Blacks jersey
“They have talked about trying to get rugby league players out of Australia with big contracts and then all of a sudden does that change eligibility? Could a player from the NRL go and play in this competition and then be available for Australia?” he said.
“Remembering now that the Wallabies are going to pick from anywhere, the Giteau Law is gone; that’s another strain that is happening on Super Rugby if players are going to leave.”
He added: “Is it a credible threat? This comes down to money. The players pretty much have the say now and they determine where their future will lie.
“They will say: ‘Realistically, am I ever going to be an All Black or am I a fringe guy? Here’s my big opportunity to play 16 games a year.’
“Richie Mo’unga went to Japan and gave away the All Black jersey, TJ Perenara’s done that. They’ve been prepared to do that already.”
Justin Marshall agreed and compared it to golf where a number of the sport’s top players left the PGA tour to join the Saudi Arabian-backed LIV Golf on eye-watering contracts.
“It’s going to have a massive impact on international rugby. The differences between the Mo’ungas that are going away or the Jordie Barretts, yes they earn good money but not this type of money,” Marshall said.
“As an international rugby player to secure your future, it’s like the golfers have done. At the end of the day, they still know they can play competitively but they know they don’t have to worry about money anymore.”
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