Perth coach Mal Meninga has warned the threat of Rugby 360 will impact the Bears ability to recruit players for its inaugural side.
The R360 league has emerged as a “Grand Prix” style competition with matches to be played across the world’s biggest cities over 16 rounds akin to Formula 1.
It is understood the creators behind R360 want to launch in September 2026 with a structure of 12 teams with a collective 300 players.
If the league were to begin 2026 and star NRL talent were to follow, like Roger Tuivasa-Sheck who is reportedly on the verge of signing with the league, it would heavily impact the club’s ability to sign players for their first pre-season in November 2026.
Speaking on
SEN 1170 Afternoons, Meninga said the Bears were monitoring the threat of R360 as they look to begin recruiting players.
“We're across it but only through what's been said through the media,” Meninga said.
“I know it's a real threat.
“It is something that we need to address…and if it is real, and if they have got some traction and players are starting to move across into that area well, then, obviously, that has an adverse effect on us and our recruitment as well.
“It's another challenge. We get no concessions, we're part of that normal NRL operationally around our salary cap… so we're just conditioned by all that, and then we've got other outside influences.
“It's a real thing that we have to look at from day to day… we're in a competitive market and things like the R360, I believe it's a bit like the big bash.
“It's coming, bang, away you go and then come back out again, a bit like LIV golf and things like that, where you just play these major events over a short period of time.
“It'd be interesting if it did come up. What sort of arrangement can the major national bodies come up with?”
Meninga also revealed the Bears couldn't have formal discussions internally on which players to target until after their first board meeting.
“We haven’t had a board meeting… we’re not even quite sure what our budgets are going to be,” Meninga said.
“We’re talking the house down but right now there’s very little action that can happen from our end.
“We can’t influence anything at the moment until we have that board meeting and I understand the directive from them.
“We’re in an unenviable position at the moment because we can’t do anything to even lock down our first player.
“It’s not frustrating but you have to understand the patience… there’s not even a peg in the ground.
“We need to keep moving forward… I need to make sure the foundations are right first, make sure we’ve got something to sell.”
The R360 comp is proposed to kick off two months before the Bears first pre-season.
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