2026 rumoured and confirmed signings

[Fangs]

Ask the Japanese what they’d rather support. It’s purely a financial decision, the same group looked at American Football as well. RU was the winner.

Sure.

But I've got no doubt which is the better sport to watch. RU ain't pretty. We just need to keep making the right moves. Playing some regular rounds over in Japan is already in the planning.

 

[Chins]

Sure.

But I've got no doubt which is the better sport to watch. RU ain't pretty. We just need to keep making the right moves. Playing some regular rounds over in Japan is already in the planning.

Japanese like Rugby because of the status it held in English culture (rich stuck up merkins). No one can look at the game and objectively enjoy it

 

[Port Panther]

Can someone please find Toby a gurnsey that he can fit those python arms into ? lol

 

[Luke Bowden]

Sure.

But I've got no doubt which is the better sport to watch. RU ain't pretty. We just need to keep making the right moves. Playing some regular rounds over in Japan is already in the planning.

I’m not looking at this from a sporting spectacle view point. I really don’t like RU, I’d never watch it.

I consider myself some what of a nerd when it comes to investing and I’ve been following this crazy interesting story for the last 18 months or so, it’s been well reported on through out most of the publications I subscribe to.

The NRL is but a drop in the ocean compared to the money being spoken about by very big players to get this up and running.

I agree that the NRL is making smart moves, but please, they simply aren’t in this game.

 

[Luke Bowden]

Can someone please find Toby a gurnsey that he can fit those python arms into ? lol

It’s cool that you called it a Gurnsey

 

[Fangs]

I agree that the NRL is making smart moves, but please, they simply aren’t in this game.

Not yet anyway

I'll back our content to win in the long run. If we're alive in 50 years we will see where its at.

 

[Luke Bowden]

Not yet anyway

I'll back our content to win in the long run. If we're alive in 50 years we will see where it’s at.

You’re looking at it from a rugby league fans perspective, which is kinda irrelevant, the sport really doesn’t matter.

 

[Fangs]

You’re looking at it from a rugby league fans perspective, which is kinda irrelevant, the sport really doesn’t matter.

I'll be impressed if R360 exists for more than 5 years. Its already aborted its start and drawn the ire of RU boards across the globe. Its house is on fire.

It needs to reset and align itself with the RU international calendar. Past that I just don't even know who their audience will be. You seem pretty certain its going to rake in viewers and big coin but I don't see it at all really.

And lastly, league is better than RU. Irrelevant or not I'll keep saying because it makes me feel warm and fuzzy. RL360 would be a far more successful venture.

 

[betcats]

Ask the Japanese what they’d rather support. It’s purely a financial decision, the same group looked at American Football as well. RU was the winner.

You are not going to get Japanese type support out of the rest of the world tho. All those Rugby teams are owned by the big companies that employ the fans and Japanese people take work so seriously the government has to do adds to warn people not to work themselves to death, the way our Government does anti smoking adds.

Look to me its just no where near as worrying as what i thought it was. If there is no Saudi money then its just a different style of rugby comp that has to survive on its own merits. I dont know the plan enough to really say if it will work or not but without that saudi fund backing it im a lot less worried about ridiculous contracts taking large amounts of nrl players. If it gets up and running no doubt they will have offer some players massive overs at the start to get people in but they wont keep overpaying everyone, no successful business does.

 

[Chins]

The oil money legitimately goes into soccer and it's had f**k all of an effect

 

[betcats]

Well i dont know much about soccer what clubs are the Saudis in? I know they have created a new golf league and brought a lot more sporting events to Saudi arabia so they are having some impact, so if they wanted to throw money at league players they wouldnt have to throw much at all compared to what they have spent on the golf or just getting some of these other events. RL is not soccer, soccer is a different financial stratosphere, the amounts you need to spend to have an impact are not comparable.

 

[Luke Bowden]

You are not going to get Japanese type support out of the rest of the world tho. All those Rugby teams are owned by the big companies that employ the fans and Japanese people take work so seriously the government has to do adds to warn people not to work themselves to death, the way our Government does anti smoking adds.

Look to me it’s just no where near as worrying as what i thought it was. If there is no Saudi money then it’s just a different style of rugby comp that has to survive on its own merits. I dont know the plan enough to really say if it will work or not but without that saudi fund backing it im a lot less worried about ridiculous contracts taking large amounts of nrl players. If it gets up and running no doubt they will have offer some players massive overs at the start to get people in but they wont keep overpaying everyone, no successful business does.

There is undoubtedly Saudi money involved, has been from the start and will continue to be, weather directly or through their US or European investors, it’s all coming from the same pot.

As I said, it’s fascinating, they could make a Netflix show about it. Navigating trade embargoes, oil prices, the works. It all comes into play.

Plenty of money to be made on the stock market if you keep a close eye on it.

 

[betcats]

There is undoubtedly Saudi money involved, has been from the start and will continue to be, weather directly or through their US or European investors, it’s all coming from the same pot.

As I said, it’s fascinating, they could make a Netflix show about it. Navigating trade embargoes, oil prices, the works. It all comes into play.

Plenty of money to be made on the stock market if you keep a close eye on it.

The Saudis arent secretly investing in R360. If you cant show the investment from them then its not there. This isnt some shadowy industry that they would hide their investment, their sporting investments are easy to track and the whole point, the whole strategy isnt making money, its to make Saudi Arabia more connected and open and acceptable to the western world, not annoucing their investments doesnt do that for them.

 

[Luke Bowden]

The Saudis arent secretly investing in R360. If you cant show the investment from them then its not there. This isnt some shadowy industry that they would hide their investment, their sporting investments are easy to track and the whole point, the whole strategy isnt making money, its to make Saudi Arabia more connected and open and acceptable to the western world, not annoucing their investments doesnt do that for them.

It’s not secret, it’s not shadowy, it’s called world economy. I’m not about to educate you on that, unless you wanna pay money, if you do, I know a few guys that are a lot better than me.

 

[betcats]

It’s not secret, it’s not shadowy, it’s called world economy. I’m not about to educate you on that, unless you wanna pay money, if you do, I know a few guys that are a lot better than me.

The kindve stupid answer someone with no idea gives, I work for an investment bank im not a former cop mate, query me in any which way about the economy. Im sure the boys down at St Marys training have some great financial opinions.

 

[Luke Bowden]

The kindve stupid answer someone with no idea gives, I work for an investment bank im not a former cop mate, query me in any which way about the economy. Im sure the boys down at St Marys training have some great financial opinions.

I’m sure you do.

 

[IcemanCleary]

Kurt falls is back. Named in the trial squad to play halfback

 

[betcats]

Kurt falls is back. Named in the trial squad to play halfback

Interesting side named, would be good to watch.

 

[BossleyPanther]

He wasn’t doing much in reserve grade to force his way in either. He’s ok, I’m not expecting great things, just average sort of stuff.

I was quite vocal in wanting him here last year.. anyway I happy with what the club has done.. in other news didn't know Kurt Falls was back at the club trialling .. I'll get some slack over this but I rate him better than Jack Cole

 

[BossleyPanther]

Im not sure. Its being funded by US and UK firms there is no saudi funding so these arent oil billionaires who are happy to fund it just for the prestige. As a business does it make sense? Tournament style played in different cities? No fan loyalty its a complete mercenary league, Why would it attract huge crowds or investment? Govenrments will pay to host it sure, but how much? WHy would a rugby game attract huge crowds that make it worthwile to governments? NRL players will be signing contracts for 2028 at the end of this year, so they will need to get a move on if they are to have a star studded league. LEts not forget the lomax situation will have hurt them in their recruting.

Probably going to be used as mo way laundering by those who fund it