Warriors boss: NRL clubs must prepare for impact of rebel league

Warriors CEO Cameron George has moved to calm the discussions around a Saudi-backed rebel league threatening the future of then NRL.

Amid reports Warriors star Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is set to become the league’s first defector to the lucrative “Rugby 360” competition on a deal worth close to $1 million a season, George believes the NRL can retain talent.

It is understood the creators behind R360 want to launch in September 2026 with a structure of 12 teams with a collective 300 players.

The R360 competition is a breakaway rugby league, described as a “grand prix” style competition with matches to be played across the world’s biggest cities over 16 rounds akin to Formula 1.

The concern among NRL figures is that if Tuivasa-Sheck can command seven figures at the age of 32, then the league’s younger stars could be poached on deals upward of $3 million a season.

Having already played two seasons with the Auckland Blues in between stints in the NRL, it would mark Tuivasa-Sheck’s second venture into rugby union.

“There’s a lot of innovation around sport,” George said on 1170 Breakfast.

“Rugby is very big over here in NZ. I’ve heard a lot about R360 getting off the ground and discussions they’re having with any number of players.

"I heard a number of our major names in league will be attraction to them; I think it’s real but will it tear league apart? Absolutely not. They will cause some clubs headaches with the financial windfalls on offer.

“For the elite players in the game it’s going to be a very crucial time in their careers and planning for their futures.

"We’re expanding and that is exciting and creates opportunities.

“Our job it to make sure we retain our No 1 spot in sport. NRL is doing a good job but we cant sit on our hands.”

The top players in the competition will reportedly be able to sign for up to AUD $3.1 million a season, with the league having deep-pocketed investors, including some from Saudi Arabia, per reports.

Dual international Mat Rogers says the NRL should be concerned about the real prospect of the competition poaching rugby league's top talents.

"Most of these athletes are dual sport athletes now, they can play either. They'll work it out," Rogers warned on SEN 1170 Sportsday.

"Particularly the elite ones like your Kalyn Pongas and your RTS's (Roger Tuivasa-Sheck) who've been back and forward.

"When the Saudis come with a loaded checkbook, I thought rugby union should be worried, given the nature of expansion in rugby league, but they need 300 elite players for this league, and I think rugby league need to be worried because the Saudis have very deep pockets.

"This is a real concern given we're expanding... it's something that we've really got to keep an eye on.

"The NRL really need to think about contracting players... another half a million dollars, you're not going anywhere.

"I fear if we don't do it we're going to lose those top players to astronomical players that rugby league just can't pay because we have a salary cap.

"They will not have a salary cap, and if they want a player, they'll get a player."

Nine’s Danny Weidler reported that Storm duo Ryan Papenhuyzen and Nelson Asofa-Solomona had been earmarked by R360 organisers as other potential signings.

SEN's Bryan Fletcher believes with the rise of this competition, the NRL could see similarities to the Super League war from the 1990s, with the league likely to appeal to Kalyn Ponga after the Knights’ fullback was reported to have engaged a New Zealand rugby agent.

“Kalyn’s (Ponga) going there,” Fletcher said on SEN 1170 Drive.

“It's an IPL for rugby, that's all it is.

“Far out, this is like super league-ish.”