Former Wallabies insider linked with R360 role as major unions threaten bans

4 hours ago 3

Eddie Jones’ right-hand man at the 2023 World Cup, former Wallabies general manager Chris Webb, is in advanced talks with Rugby 360 organisers about a role that could involve recruiting players.

Australian rugby is on high alert amid growing concerns the rebel competition could poach stars from traditional competitions with multimillion-dollar offers.

Rugby Australia and seven of the world’s leading rugby union nations issued an extraordinary joint statement on Wednesday condemning R360 and warning players that participation would make them ineligible for international selection.

The statement – co-signed by Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Ireland, England, Scotland, France and Italy – is the strongest pushback yet against the privately funded competition.

Argentina and Fiji are the only nations in the men’s top 10 Test rankings who have not signed the statement.

“Each of the national unions will be advising men’s and women’s players that participation in R360 would make them ineligible for international selection,” the statement said.

Wallaby Max Jorgensen could be a target of R360 organisers.

RA has been largely kept in the dark about the competition, despite player managers confirming that R360 powerbrokers have told them of plans for an October 2 kick-off next year.

However, this masthead can reveal Webb, who worked under Dave Rennie and then Jones in the Wallabies’ inner sanctum from 2019 to 2023, has been speaking to Australian players about joining R360.

It is no secret in Australian rugby circles that Webb has been linked with R360 and has discussed the breakaway league with some players.

Webb did not want to comment when contacted.

Former Wallabies general manager Chris Webb, who left Rugby Australia after the 2023 World Cup.

News of Webb’s potential link to R360 will not be well received at RA headquarters.

Jones, who in early 2023 signed a five-year deal with RA, quit nine months later after the Wallabies’ disastrous World Cup, following revelations of a secret Zoom interview with Japanese rugby officials. Jones is now coach of Japan, who the Wallabies face on October 25.

Some of the biggest names in rugby and rugby league have been targeted by R360, with some offered deals worth more than $2 million a season.

“As a group of national rugby unions, we are urging extreme caution for players and support staff considering joining the proposed R360 competition,” the rugby nations’ joint statement says.

“We all welcome new investment and innovation in rugby; and support ideas that can help the game evolve and reach new audiences; but any new competition must strengthen the sport as a whole, not fragment or weaken it.

Melbourne Storm fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen has confirmed he met R360 officials.

“Among our roles as national unions, we must take a wider view on new propositions and assess their impact on a range of areas, including whether they add to rugby’s global ecosystem, for which we are all responsible, or whether they are a net negative to the game.

“R360 has given us no indication as to how it plans to manage player welfare, how players would fulfil their aspirations of representing their countries, and how the competition would coexist with the international and domestic calendars so painstakingly negotiated in recent years for both our men’s and women’s games.

“The R360 model, as outlined publicly, rather appears designed to generate profits and return them to a very small elite, potentially hollowing out the investment that national unions and existing leagues make in community rugby, player development, and participation pathways.”

Hours after the joint statement, R360 hit back.

“It’s not always easy to embrace new opportunities, but as we’ve seen throughout history, it’s essential for any sport to grow,” an R360 statement read.

“So many players love what R360 can do for them and the game, and we can’t wait to kick off next year. Player welfare is one of the key reasons for creating our global series, which will greatly reduce player load and capture the attention of a new generation of fans globally.

“We want to work collaboratively as part of the global rugby calendar. The series is designed with bespoke schedules for men’s and women’s teams and R360 will release all players for international matches, as written into their contracts.

“Our philosophy is clear – if players want to play for their country, they should have that opportunity. Why would the unions stand in their way?

“We look forward to submitting to the World Rugby Council for sanctioning next summer as planned.”