A $900,000 offer after 28 matches. The NRL’s latest Rugby360 target revealed

3 months ago 20

South Sydney utility Jye Gray has emerged as a surprise target for breakaway rugby competition Rugby360.

R360 organisers are attempting to secure enough players to trigger the next rollout of private equity funds to ensure the concept gets off the ground. While the focus remains on signing established rugby union stars, a handful of NRL players considered capable of making a code switch have also been targeted.

One of them is Gray. In some respects, he is a departure from the NRL names previously linked to R360 - including Ryan Papenhuyzen, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Zac Lomax and Herbie Farnworth - given he hasn’t yet achieved marquee status in rugby league.

However, Gray, who has played just 28 NRL matches and comes off contract at the Rabbitohs at the end of 2026, has a history in the 15-man code. He made his mark in rugby during three years at The Southport School, a prestigious GPS school on the Gold Coast. A potential 2027 start for Gray in R360 has been floated.

The school’s former coach, Mike Wallace, rated Gray among the best players he had overseen during his long association with the school, and the Queensland Reds expressed interest in Gray.

Sources speaking on the condition of anonymity due to confidentiality said that R360 was prepared to offer Gray $US600,000 (A$920,000) to commit to the start-up competition. There has been speculation that R360 could be based in a tax-free state such as Dubai, which could make it even more financially lucrative for those considering joining.

Jye Gray could make a shock cross-code switch.

The Rabbitohs, who on Wednesday granted Englishman Lewis Dodd permission to seek a new contract elsewhere, and Gray’s manager were contacted for comment.

Souths coach Wayne Bennett recently said that R360 was a “huge threat” to rugby league.

“The NRL is the toughest competition in the world with the best athletes,” Bennett told News Corp.

“We are absolutely under threat. We cannot ignore it.

Roger Tuivasa-Scheck is another R360 target.

“I don’t know how we combat it, but I will say this - the game needs to come together sooner rather than later in terms of the CEOs and the game itself. Let’s talk about what the hell is going on out there.

“Have the conversation we need to have with each other and discuss how do we stop it, what do we do?”

Gray’s versatility has made him a handy acquisition for a Rabbitohs side that has been decimated by injury. Even when Latrell Mitchell has been fit, Gray has been the first-choice fullback for much of the year. He has worn the No.1 jersey 11 times this season, started once at five-eighth and made three appearances off the bench.

The 21-year-old - who led the Dally M standings after the opening rounds of the year - has been named at fullback for Sunday’s clash with the Titans. Mitchell was named on an extended bench in an indication that he is nearing a return after missing four games with a quad strain.

Meanwhile, Canterbury have re-signed rising forward Harry Hayes until the end of 2029.

“Harry has made great leaps in the last 18 months,” said Canterbury general manager of football Phil Gould.

“Since making his debut late in 2024, he has now established himself as a genuine first-grader. He has a great work ethic and has the ability to play both in the middle and on an edge, which is a great advantage.

“Harry has Bulldog pedigree through his grandfather Merv, and he consistently shows a club-first mentality every day when he arrives at Belmore. We couldn’t be happier with the extension.”

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