Peter V’landys has warned players considering a shock switch to the rebel R360 rugby union competition that they are “gambling with their futures”.
V’landys’ strong comments to The Daily Telegraph come in the wake of the development that R360 has reportedly been given the green light for 2026, with as many as 10 NRL stars claimed to be already committed to it.
R360 organisers reportedly informed player agents on Tuesday night that the competition would begin on October 2 next year, right when the NRL GF is typically played, after securing the funding and player numbers to begin.
Official contracts have been sent to player agents as R360 locks in players for its inaugural campaign in 2026.
V’landys didn’t mince words on Wednesday in response to the looming threat of R360, stating that NRL clubs are “furious” with certain players and agents involved
“I’m going to listen to the clubs who are furious. They want hard action,” V’landys told Code Sports.
“We have proven we will take hard action. We’re not going to let someone destroy our great game.
“They’re going to have to understand there’s consequences. In any decision there’s consequences.”
On Wednesday, the SMH released fresh details about the rebel competition and what it will look like.
In 2026, it will begin in October, but the following two years, the competition will run from April to September, with expansion to occur in 2027.
There will be a player draft held next July with the locations of each team or franchise stretched around the world in London, Tokyo, Madrid, Lisbon, Cape Town, Boston, Dubai and Miami.
However, players will be able to reside wherever they like and won’t be required to live in their franchise location.
As many as 10 NRL players are believed to have committed to the competition, including Storm star Ryan Papenhuyzen, Eels winger Zac Lomax and Rabbitohs fullback Jye Gray.
Warriors hero Roger Tuivasa-Sheck was already committed to joining the comp after concluding his NRL contract, as Papenhuyzen would be; while Lomax is a tricker case, given that he has three years to run on his Eels deal.
V’landys urged agents and players to do their “due diligence” on any contract offer from the rebel league.
The ARL Commission boss also provided an analogy for those players to liken the situation to.
“If I was a player, what I would be
recommending to them is to get hold of the business plan and read the fine details as to how this thing is going to be funded. I’d be doing due diligence on who’s financing them and what they’re getting out of it, because they don’t do it for free,” he said.
“Here, the NRL is in the best financial position it’s ever been. So you’re guaranteed whatever the club tells you you’re going to receive, you’re going to get.
“To use the analogy, I’m going to put my money in the Commonwealth Bank and get four per cent on a fixed deposit knowing that my money is safe as anything. I can go to Joe’s finances and get 25 per cent. But I could lose the lot. It’s a gamble.
“You want to gamble? It’s gambling with your future.”
Speaking on NRL 360, Braith Anasta revealed that he had heard a rumour that Lomax could walk out on the final three years of his Eels contract to link with R360, a global competition with eight franchises; none of which will be based in Australia.
“There have been rumours around (Ryan) Papenhuyzen and Nelson Asofa-Solomona,” Anasta said on Fox League’s NRL 360.
“I’ve been doing bit of digging around and talking to people, and I heard a rumour today that Zac Lomax is about to sign a deal with them (R360) and there is a big chance he’s played his last game for Parramatta.”
The 26-year-old has scored has scored 58 tries in 133 games for the Dragons and Eels and is the incumbent Blues and Kangaroos winger having played six Origins and three Tests to date.
Anasta is adamant R360 can be a real threat to the NRL and has to be taken seriously, especially if the strong rumours around Lomax prove correct.
“It’s speculation, but I’ve heard it from someone close to R360 and it’s something we need to keep an eye on because I believe this is starting to get serious,” Anasta said.
“This rumour is the strongest one I’ve heard yet.”
Losing an incumbent Origin and Test star would be a huge blow for the NRL, particularly given Lomax is tipped to be part of Kevvie Walters’ Ashes Tour later this month.
However, the NRL clubs are following the R360 developments closely and have implored the governing body to stop players breaking contracts to join the rebel league.
V’landys has been a vocal sceptic of R360, but stressed players who walk out on NRL contract face punishment from the game’s governing body.
“Anything that doesn’t have a business model or a financier or a backer, you can’t take seriously,” V’landys said on radio this week.
“The clubs want the NRL to take some pretty harsh action and we’re considering it.
