Rumor Mill

[Izz]

Tuivasa-Sheck on verge of joining Saudi-backed rebel rugby comp on $1m deal

Tuivasa-Sheck is set to join the R360 competition in 2027 as the first NRL player to jump ship on a deal worth close to $1 million a season.

www.smh.com.au

This seemed the best place for this little nugget.

As much as I love RTS, potentially losing him from ‘27 onwards probably isn’t that big a deal for us as a club. But if this R360 thing gets some legs, things might get interesting across the whole comp.

Yeah, he'll be what, 34? Good time for him to cash in.

And yeah, will be interesting to see what happens. Big money, but focus more on individuals than team? Might not prove to be a great spectacle across a season if that's the case. If it happens, i could see it taking Super League's place as where players go in the latter stages of their careers

 

[Thatwasnthighref]

Yeah, he'll be what, 34? Good time for him to cash in.

And yeah, will be interesting to see what happens. Big money, but focus more on individuals than team? Might not prove to be a great spectacle across a season if that's the case. If it happens, i could see it taking Super League's place as where players go in the latter stages of their careers

Yep I’d be pretty happy for Rog if he can cash in like that but a long way for the concept to get off the ground.

From what I’ve read the national unions strongly oppose it given the proposed windows overlap with the tail of the 6N for the NH and the EOYT window for the SH teams. And the club comps are totally opposed as well for obvious reasons.

But the fact it’s even being tossed up means the NRL should keep watch closely. Leaguie journos in Australia love to see themselves as the dominant code but in reality it’s big fish / small pond stuff.

This latest idea may eventually fall over, but one day someone will get something else over the line. And if the Saudis or Qataris are involved, there’ll be enough money to bulldoze their way into the global calendar and start signing players from all corners, regardless of national union opposition. Just like the IPL has done.

 

[RHYTHM AND STEALTH]

RTS can see out his contract in my opinion.
We let him walk once, dont let him go it again. Plus we need him in our 13 every week

 

[Thatwasnthighref]

RTS can see out his contract in my opinion.
We let him walk once, dont let him go it again. Plus we need him in our 13 every week

I’d be surprised if he angled for an early release. Last time was a unique situation when the govt closed the borders as he was trying to get his family over to Aus to see out the season. I know some felt he bailed on us, but I personally had no issues with it given the family stuff.

And then he honoured his NZR contract in full by playing NPC footy when he could’ve tried buggering off early as soon as he missed AB selection.

I reckon he’ll stick with us to the end.

 

[Matua]

I’d be surprised if he angled for an early release. Last time was a unique situation when the govt closed the borders as he was trying to get his family over to Aus to see out the season. I know some felt he bailed on us, but I personally had no issues with it given the family stuff.

And then he honoured his NZR contract in full by playing NPC footy when he could’ve tried buggering off early as soon as he missed AB selection.

I reckon he’ll stick with us to the end.

That fact that he keeps playing on the wing even when CNK is injured shows how committed he is to the team.

Anyway, I hope this new league goes nowhere. I'm genuinely scared the Warriors will be the only team I'll have left to support. If the planned cutting of the NPC broadcasts happens then I'm likely done with Stan (rugby here in Oz) because I don't care about Super enough to reward the rugby unions with my dollars. A new league might accelerate that.

With my general grumpy old man demeanour if the Warriors start playing too many Aussies I might completely throw my toys out of the cot, I've had to stop wearing my Warriors cap because of people saying that saying "Up the ..." annoys me so much.