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Alex Chapman • July 17th, 2025 9:29 am
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck | Photo: Photosport
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck could be joined by some former union teammates if the yet to be launched Rugby 360 competition gets off the ground.
Following reports out of Australia, the 2018 Dally M medallist’s camp has confirmed to Sport Nation that there have been discussions around him joining the rebel competition.
“We’re taking a breath, we’ve had the conversations, and we’ll see what happens” Tuivasa-Sheck's agent Bruce Sharrock told Sport Nation.
The former All Black left the NRL in 2022 to play two seasons with the Blues in Super Rugby, before returning to the NRL last year.
The 32-year-old's current deal with the Warriors is until the conclusion of the 2026 season, with Rugby 360 pencilled in to begin next year, with the format yet to be confirmed.
It’s believed the deal could be worth at least a million dollars; Tuivasa-Sheck's currently on $550,000 at Mount Smart.
However given the Saudi-backed comp still hasn’t been ratified, nothing has been signed.
R360 still is in its development phase but those close to the situation have indicated that it’s a “strong reality” that the competition will kick off at the end of 2026.
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For the league to be signed off, three key markers need to be ticked off: secure a broadcast partner, sell franchises to private owners for a three-year commitment, and have at least 200 players committed by September.
It’s believed that should the first two be confirmed, Tuivasa-Sheck would strongly consider the move and be part one of those 200 players.
Though Sharrock confirmed R360 is one of several options that Tuivasa-Sheck is considering.
However, should it get off the ground, it’s understood that many current All Blacks are also being eyed up for R360 with high-level conversations and discussions being and continuing to be had.
It’s believed that of those who have already been spoken to about it, their preference would be to monitor the first year of the competition, before committing post 2027 World Cup.
In addition to that, World Rugby regulations state that if a player signs a deal outside the last 12 months of their current contract, they are in breach.
The big question though would be the quality of the players with where they are in their careers, and whether national bodies would allow them to still be picked for international sides.
However, there’s confidence the financial carrot could help lure big names, given some deals could be worth in excess of triple of what they can earn elsewhere, with the top-level players believed to have the chance to earn as much as $3.4 million NZD.
New Zealand Rugby’s current policy wouldn’t allow that to happen, unless they have taken a short-term sabbatical as part of a recommitment to NZR.
It’s believed R360 organisers have met with World Rugby in an attempt to be sanctioned, with it understood they believe they are a good chance of doing so.
Described as “the IPL of rugby”, the plan is for R360 teams to go to high profile locations around the world for 18 weeks as part of a weekend “festival” which includes other events such as concerts, following similar models also seen in the likes of Formula One.
Tune into Alex Chapman alongside Riccardo Ball on Sport Nation Mornings, 9am to midday on Thursdays & Fridays.
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