Rugby Australia Joins Global Unions in Unified Opposition to Proposed R360 Competition

Rugby Australia has joined forces with seven other major rugby unions, New Zealand, South Africa, Ireland, England, Scotland, France, and Italy, in taking a strong, united stance against the proposed R360 competition, declaring that players who participate would be ineligible for Test rugby under the current circumstances.

In a rare show of international solidarity, the eight governing bodies issued a joint statement urging “extreme caution” to any players or staff considering involvement with the breakaway competition, which is reportedly planning to launch in 2026.

“As a group of national rugby unions, we are urging extreme caution for players and support staff considering joining the proposed R360 competition.”

“We all welcome new investment and innovation in rugby, but any new competition must strengthen the sport as a whole not fragment or weaken it,” the statement read. 

Player Welfare and Game Integrity Concerns

The unions expressed concern that R360 has provided no clear framework for player welfare, national eligibility, or scheduling alignment with existing international and domestic competitions.

With rugby’s global calendar already negotiated to balance elite, domestic, and international commitments — including both the men’s and women’s games — the unions warned that R360 could destabilise the sport’s structure.

“International rugby and our major competitions remain the financial and cultural engine that sustains every level of the game.”

“Undermining that ecosystem could be enormously harmful to the health of our sport,” the statement continued. 

R360 has reportedly approached a range of athletes including current Wallabies and potential code-hoppers from rugby league with the promise of lucrative contracts. However, the unions have made it clear that involvement would disqualify players from representing their countries, underscoring the high stakes for those considering a switch.

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