V’landys adamant R360 no threat to NRL’s best talent
Scott Bailey |
Peter V’landys has rubbished the threat of R360 to the NRL, while also declaring he expects Mark Nawaqanitawase to one day return to the 13-man code.
The NRL is facing a battle on two fronts against rugby union, with the lure of a home World Cup in 2027 enough to drag Nawaqanitawase back to the Wallabies.
At the same time, the rebel rugby union R360 competition continues to rumble away, with off-contract players routinely linked to signing with the mooted competition.
Melbourne star Ryan Papenhuyzen and former Dally M winner Roger Tuivasa-Sheck headline a list of targets, with several players having been discussed with the league.
The breakaway competition has pushed back its application seeking approval from World Rugby to next June, with organisers eying off a start date of late 2026.
But V’landys said he was still skeptical of the competition’s finances or potential to be able to draw in real talent.
“Anything that doesn’t have a business model or a financier or a backer, you can’t take seriously,” V’landys said.
“If someone shows me a business plan, how they’re going to pay for this and how they’re going to pay for the players, how they’re going to promote it.
“I mean, I saw that they were looking at YouTube. YouTube’s a great channel, but it’s certainly not going to generate the revenues that they would provide.”
There is a growing concern from clubs players are holding off signing contracts for 2027 and beyond until there is a clearer picture on the R360 front.
V’landys conceded it was also possible players were using the league to drive up market value, and warned sanctions were possible for any player or agent who broke contracts to join any rebel league.
“The clubs want the NRL to take some pretty harsh action, and we’re considering it,” V’landys said.
“They’re wasting their time with this one. But there’s probably going to be (another lucrative rebel league) in the future.
“If you’ve got a contract with the NRL, we expect you to honour it. And if you don’t, there’s going to be consequences.”
V’landys also took another shot at rugby over Nawaqanitawase’s return to the sport in 2027.
The Sydney Roosters winger has informed the Tricolours he will leave after his contract expires next year, lured back by a home World Cup in 2027.
The Roosters remain hopeful he could one day come back to the club if he leaves rugby a second time, with V’landys confident that will be the case.
The 25-year-old also remains in contention for a spot on Australia’s Ashes tour.
“He wasn’t ruled out because he was going to the trade union or whatever it’s called,” V’landys said.
“Look, I think Mark just needed another 20, 30 minutes of rest because, you know, their ball-in-play (time) in that trade union’s only 30 minutes.
“On Sunday, our game was 62 minutes. So he probably wants a bit of time to do social media and things like that.
“He’s a really good guy. He’s a fantastic individual, really nice person, and we wish him the best, but I’m pretty confident he’ll be back.”
AAP
