Australia has joined seven other rugby union nations in banning players from Test duties if they sign up to a rebel R360 global competition.
The other nations are New Zealand, South Africa, Ireland, England, Scotland, France and Italy.
The joint statement, released by Rugby Australia today (Wednesday), urges “extreme caution” for players wanting to join the competition, set to launch next year.
“The R360 model, as outlined publicly, appears designed to generate profits and return them to a very small elite, potentially hollowing out current community rugby, player development and participation pathways,” it reads.
“International rugby and our major competitions remain the financial and cultural engine that sustains the game, from grassroots participation to elite performance.
“Undermining that ecosystem could be enormously harmful to the health of our sport,” the statement.
“Each national union will therefore advise men’s and women’s players that participation in R360 would make them ineligible for international selection,” it says.
This ban would exclude players from the 2027 World Cup (XVs) and 2028 Olympics (sevens).
Wallaby, All Blacks, Lions and NRL players have all reportedly been approached.
The joint statements says the R360 organisers have not explained how they will manage player welfare, Test releases for players or how their competition would fit into the existing international and domestic calendars.
They say the organisers should have talked to national unions, but haven’t.
In a statement reported by Irish press on social media, the R360 organisers say player welfare is a top priority for them.
“The series is designed with bespoke schedules for men’s and women’s teams, and R360.
“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,” it reads.
The organisers say they intend to approach World Rugby, the sport’s governing body, for sanctioning next summer.
WHAT IS R360 RUGBY?
Former England World Cup winner Mike Tindall is co-founder alongside high-profile agent Mark Spoors and LIV Golf lawyer John Loffhagen.
Funding is reportedly to come from European and US private investors but the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund will not be involved.
R360 is targeting NRL players as well with reports of earnings of more than $2 million per season.
Eight men’s and four women’s franchise teams are expected to form a 16-game season; each franchise is reported to represent a global city such London, Tokyo, Dubai, Cape Town and Miami but no Australian-based team.
Each competition round will take place in a different city such as London, Barcelona, Paris, New York and Los Angeles involving ‘grand prix’ weekends involving major concerts and events.
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