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Why V'Landys isn't surprised by R360 delay
Nicholas Quinlan • November 29th, 2025 12:16 pm
R360 has confirmed that it will delay its inaugural season until 2028, casting doubts on whether the Rugby Union competition will actually go ahead.
The rebel league, which has the backing of private investment from the United States and the United Kingdom, was set to begin in 2026 despite being unsanctioned by World Rugby.
This was alongside eight national Rugby Union bodies, which included Rugby Australia, prohibiting any player from playing in the national team if they were to join.
Additionally, ARLC chairman Peter V’Landys declared that any NRL player who was to sign with the competition would face a 10-year ban.
In a statement, R360 board member and former England representative Mike Tindall said that the delay to the start time was made to ensure the long-term commercial impact that R360 hoped to realise for the sport.
“R360 has always been about supporting the long-term growth of the sport we love,” he said.
“Our aim is to create a global showcase league that sits between international and club rugby - a competition that keeps fans engaged year-round, brings new audiences into the game, and elevates both male and female players on a global stage.
“The decision to shift our launch to 2028 is a strategic decision based on timing. Launching under compressed timelines would not meet the standards we set for R360, nor would it deliver the long-term commercial impact that the sport deserves.
“As a board, we remain absolutely determined to bring R360 to life at full scale and with maximum global impact. We’re building something bold and new that will resonate globally - and we cannot wait to show the world in 2028.”
Players reportedly linked to the competition include the likes of Zac Lomax and Ryan Papenhuyzen.
The two players had been released from their NRL contracts, with both having met with R360 officials, although they had not signed any deal with the competition.
In the news of R360’s delay, V’Landys said that he would be more than willing to welcome both back to the NRL, believing that both had been hoodwinked.
“Naturally, Ryan and Zac are most welcome to come back,” he told the AAP.
“They were just victims of the mirage.
“(It’s) no surprise. Their current business model was never going to work.
“It’s a shame so many people were hoodwinked.”
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