Warriors flyer Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is closing in on joining the lucrative rebel Rugby 360 competition, on a contract valued at nearly $1 million per season, it has been reported.
The Sydney Morning Herald reports that Tuivasa-Sheck is in negotiations to sign with the competition in 2027, given his Warriors deal expires at the end of 2026.
According to the report, Tuivasa-Sheck will be on around $550,000 with the Warriors next season, which would mean he’d be on nearly double that money in 2027 if he joins R360.
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At the age of 32, it may be too good an offer for Tuivasa-Sheck to ignore. The 2018 Dally M Medallist left the NRL in 2022 to play two seasons with Super Rugby franchise the Auckland Blues, but came back to the NRL last year.
The report quoted Warriors chief executive Cameron George as saying he was worried about the threat R360 poses to the NRL.
“I raised it at a recent CEO’s meeting to ensure everyone’s aware of the real and genuine Rugby 360 concept,” George said.
“I’m aware of players that have been interviewed and engaged with. I’m aware of the significant financial opportunities that it could bring, particularly around the branding of the players as individuals.”
The best players in the R360 competition are reportedly set to earn close to AUD$3.1 million a season, which is more than double Kalyn Ponga’s $1.4 million salary, as the highest paid player in the NRL.
PAPENHUYZEN ALSO IN THE SIGHTS OF R360
Storm superstar Ryan Papenhuyzen is reportedly in the sights of a new cashed-up Saudi backed rugby union competition called R360 that is targeting rugby league players.
The yet to be formed R360 concept is targeting the world’s best players on lucrative contracts to compete in a breakaway competition.
It is understood they want to launch in September next year and will include 300 players, 12 franchises and will take place in 16 glamorous venues across Europe.
The SMH reported Papenhuyzen’s teammate Nelson Asofa-Solomona is also being discussed.
Channel 9’s Danny Weidler revealed on 100 % Footy that Papenhuyzen is one of the players on the league’s radar.
“There’s a concept that is being hatched around the world called Rugby 360 which is a Saudi backed concept,” 9News journalist Danny Weidler said on 100% Footy.
“They are starting to look at players and one of the players whose definitely on their radar is Ryan Papenhuyzen.
“I’ve reached out to Ryan’s management. They wouldn’t comment about it but they wouldn’t deny it either.
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“I spoke to Melbourne about it and they said they wouldn’t be surprised if there was interest in Papi in regards to this.”
Despite the interest there are doubts the breakaway competition can become a viable success, according to Andrew Georgiou the president and managing director of WBD Sports Europe.
“I’ve been involved in sport for 25 years,” Georgiou told The Guardian.
“I can’t tell you how many of these PowerPoint presentations have come across my desk with people who were absolutely certain that what they had on that page was going to be the new thing. It was going to be absolutely the new thing.
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“The one question is, how are they going to grow the revenue by putting this event on?
“Where’s the money coming from? The media industry is going through a massive generational change.
“So if these folks believe that they are going to grow the revenue by putting this thing on, I think they’re delusional. I really do.
“What it will do is further complicate what is already a well-functioning rugby ecosystem.”
