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How to tune into Sport Nation'Dangerous and scary': R360 won't win, but could it kill rugby?
SEN • October 10th, 2025 2:33 pm
The team behind the R360 rebel league have the backing of the Saudi Arabian fund that backs LIV Golf, according to Robert Craddock who is adamant the breakout tournament cannot work.
Up to 12 NRL stars have been linked with a move to the rebel league which sells itself as having a “grand-prix” approach to sport with franchises all over the world.
Enormous amount of money are on offer for those who sign up playing fewer games and banking significantly more.
Despite the threat to both union and league, the seasoned journalist is not convinced the idea will get off the ground but does see a world in which individual NRL players benefit from the rumours.
"The rebel rugby band trying to lure the likes of Haas and Pap have financial backers England, the US and the Saudi Arabian fund that backs LIV golf,” Craddock said on SENQ Breakfast.
“LIV’s lawyer is on their board. To me this cannot work because they can’t attract crowds but the impact here will be them being a disruptor.
“This will mean that the likes of Haas - who will listen to them – will go back and present their contract to the Broncos and possibly get another couple of hundred thousand and then sign with the Broncos.
"I don’t know what the 360 bottom line is. I can’t see what their end game is.”
Why the R360 is just another flawed and misguided rugby concept | Scotty & Izzy
Asked for his thoughts on why the rebel league is making its move now, Craddock explained that the current global situation in rugby union is so dismal, players will be tempted.
The only thing that could save the code from total collapse is the World Cup in two years.
“Here’s the thing, with PNG and Perth coming in, even if you lost 10 players, that hurts the sport of rugby league,” Craddock continued.
“They’re after rugby (union) for this reason. They have looked at the balance sheets around the world and think the sport is haemorrhaging and vulnerable.
“The Rebels - they shut down, the Australian Rugby Union had massive debts until the Lions wiped them out this year, but they cannot match these offers.
“Someone connected to R360 was out watching juniors at Redcliff last weekend - this is scary stuff.
“They sense that union in particular are making losses.
“The big thing going for union is players want to play the World Cup in two years. It is cherished – that may save them.
“There are dangerous – not because they’re going to be successful but because they are going to hurt the codes.”
Earlier this week, eight rugby unions issued a joint statement saying that players considering big-money offers from R360 would be ineligible for international selection.
Corey Parker feared such ban ultimatum would ultimately only hurt union further.
"If you’re a player and there’s a big monetary pull - what if they all go, well then what?" Parker said on SENQ Breakfast.
“We’re talking all the countries (in the statement), if they all go to R360 - which needs 300+ players - for absurd amounts of money, then the international game falls on its knees does it not?
“Australia did the same, they banned players in Japan until they realised they needed their best players so they could compete on an international level.
“I’m putting my players hat on; if I’m presented a contract to play 360 which is too hard to refuse and if I go then the ripple effect follows. Now you’re saying I’m ineligible for international rugby? I know they need a stance but I’m not so sure about this.”
Would Payne Haas succeed in R360?
