"LIV Rugby"?
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Geez it not often someone comes up with a rugby comp I know I will have no interest in. Waht 8 made up teams wandering around the world playing games, a bit like Harlem Globetrotters? If it takes off will be a hybrid type game within a year to attract crowds who don't know the game.
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A very good, reasoned op-ed
My take
People will watch the best. To be the best you play Test rugby. If World Rugby controls the requirements for Test Rugby eligibility then R360 is dead in the water.
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@MiketheSnow said in "LIV Rugby"?:
A very good, reasoned op-ed
My take
People will watch the best. To be the best you play Test rugby. If World Rugby controls the requirements for Test Rugby eligibility then R360 is dead in the water.
The other thing is it takes all the tribalism out of it for me. I a kiwi so will always follow my kiwi teams, really a team with a few kiwis in it playing other teams doesn't get me.
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@Dan54 said in "LIV Rugby"?:
@MiketheSnow said in "LIV Rugby"?:
A very good, reasoned op-ed
My take
People will watch the best. To be the best you play Test rugby. If World Rugby controls the requirements for Test Rugby eligibility then R360 is dead in the water.
The other thing is it takes all the tribalism out of it for me. I a kiwi so will always follow my kiwi teams, really a team with a few kiwis in it playing other teams doesn't get me.
I generally don't watch rugby if it doesn't involve a team I support. So I can't see myself watching this
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Latest R360 rumours doing the rounds:
They are working on a broadcasting deal with YouTube / Alphabet.
One of the reasons the WRU are going down to two teams so that lots of Welsh players are heading to R360.
Ardie Savea is their number 1 target as a post-world cup signing.
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@sparky said in "LIV Rugby"?:
Latest R360 rumours doing the rounds:
They are working on a broadcasting deal with YouTube / Alphabet.
One of the reasons the WRU are going down to two teams so that lots of Welsh players are heading to R360.
Ardie Savea is their number 1 target as a post-world cup signing.
Calling bullshit on the WRU rumour
WRU want to go down to 2 due to lack of money and diverting funds to two female teams and female national team
Consequence may be that some Welsh players go to R360
That's an effect not cause
And some may not leave if they become ineligible to play for Wales at Test level
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RTS talks about his conversations with R360:
'I've had chats': Roger Tuivasa-Sheck confirms R360 interest
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck has opened up on playing in the R360 rugby union competition in 2027 as he targets winning an NRL title with the Warriors first.
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BBC long- read on R360 and whether it will get off the ground.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/articles/ce3yllp1geno
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Dead in the water IMHO
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@MiketheSnow said in "LIV Rugby"?:
Dead in the water IMHO
Yes, it seems to be in its current guise. Earliest they could try to start the league would be 2028.
Saudi’s will have lost interest long before then.
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Private equity in search of a home.
They tried to follow the IPL and Liv golf playbook without understanding why those particular endeavours worked (or sort of worked).
IPL – captive 1b+ Indian market who support any form of cricket. Liv – individual sport, so easy to pick off top golfers with massive contracts to give it instant credibility. Also, you can throw a superstar cricket team together and be half decent – it’s the extreme opposite end of the scale with rugby.
I remember when the Rugby 360 reports started appearing. Almost the same time, on the Bill Simmons podcast he talked about the same proposal – new league forming outside of the official channels, top players signing massive contracts to be part of it, global tour, it’s real, it’s coming etc etc.
Basically every talking point from Rugby 360, except he was talking about it happening with the NBA players.
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Plenty of numbers which don't make much sense.
Target of 200 mens' players, for 8 teams... Squads of 25?
Over 160 mens' players already signed, 75% of which have played test rugby in the past 2 season... 120 current-ish international players? Bullshit. Unless it's the entirety of the Georgia, Spain, Romania teams, with a few Pacific-Islanders in there. -
I'd heard so little about Rugby360 in recent weeks that I'd forgotten it was a thing.
Anyway there's a new article on it:
R360 and the Fight for Rugby’s Soul • The Rugby Post
Forget the traditions. Forget the history. Forget the dusty club ties. Something new is coming for rugby, backed by money so big it bends reality. It’s called R360, and it’s a direct challenge to the old order, a global franchise circuit built on disruption, high salaries, and cold, hard finance....
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Reads like the Labour Party is behind it
Drips with desperation
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I been trying to work out what NZ players would be going. I can see s few who are at end of career in Japan.
Suspect maybe Ethan Blackadder, as it seemed strange he signed for one more season when not wanted for ABs, perhaps he finishes at end of Super. Can see perhaps the likes of David Havili, Angus Ta'avoa and the olk cashing in (I was surprised Ta'avoa hung around for another super season), the likes of Ennor etc , but genuinely not sure who is signed with NZR really anyway. Are the oldtimers like Rettallick and A Smith going to go around again, and of course let's not forget Nonu!!
Doen't matter who etc, I very seriously doubt I will ever watch a game. -
I really don't get how this is still around. Who is going to watch this? Who would care about this? Does anyone on the Fern think this is a good idea?
No one who in NZ who seriously wants to be an AB is going to join.
This isn't like the Superleague in the 90s, that was based on established clubs (and new clubs in established regions) whereas this appears to the harlem globe trotters of rugby. It's not like T20 where players can just go for a short competition in the country with biggest fanbase in the sport.
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So there are reports that 10 NRL players have signed up to Rugby360 including the likes of Zac Lomax and Ryan Papenhuyzen.
