‘Don’t sign with R360’: Why RTS could finish his career in the NRL

Warriors star Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is a strong chance to finish his storied football career in the NRL due to the ongoing uncertainty surrounding Rugby 360, his manager says.

Tuivasa-Sheck was one of the first NRL players linked with R360 and his switch to the breakaway competition has widely been reported as a done deal. However, his agent, Bruce Sharrock, has denied suggestions “RTS” has committed to R360 and revealed he is advising his client not to do so.

The development comes 24 hours after Clinton Schifcofske, the agent acting for Ryan Papenhuyzen and Zac Lomax, vowed not to deal with R360 after the NRL threatened players and managers with 10-year bans for engaging with the proposed league.

“I can categorically tell you that he hasn’t signed and sealed and is heading off,” Sharrock said.

“There’s a couple of simple reasons for that. One is that the process of getting a full long-form agreement is not complete. What everyone signed up to, if you want to use that term, is an expression of interest or heads of agreement.

“That was the document that expired at the end of September. After that, no one that I’m aware of has any obligation to carry on and sign with R360 until the long-form agreement has been agreed and signed.”

Sharrock says he needs to clarify basic details in the agreements before advising clients to consider their options.

“Things relating to termination rights, injury, etc, which is standard information that exists in all contracts globally,” he said. “It’s about pulling something together that we’re comfortable with and can go to our players and say, ‘Look, on the basis of all the protections [available], we’re comfortable that you sign this agreement’.

“The other part of that is we want to have some oversight, as best we can, as to the financial stability and guarantees linked to the competition. In other words, before anyone puts pen to paper, we need to be satisfied, as their advisers, that there is a level of financial security tied up in the competition. And we’re still seeking that information.”

The Wasserman agency has some big NRL names on its books, including Reece Walsh, Kaeo Weekes, Stefano Utoikamanu, Ezra Mam, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Xavier Coates. They also have one of the world’s biggest rugby union stables, representing more than 100 clients who have played Test rugby in the past 12 months.

Tuivasa-Sheck was an obvious R360 target given his history in both codes, which includes NRL premiership success in 2013, a Dally M Medal in 2018 and representing the All Blacks in 2022. R360’s offer of a three-year contract, worth seven figures a season, is considerably more than he could make in the NRL, given he is 32 years old and committed to seeing out the remainder of his Warriors contract, which expires at the end of 2026.

Asked about the chances of Tuivasa-Sheck joining R360, Sharrock said: “[Based on] what I know at the moment, no he wouldn’t. Otherwise he would have signed.

“Until I’m comfortable with the long-form agreement, he wouldn’t because we don’t have the information. Until we have the information, my advice to my client is don’t sign.”

The former Roosters fullback has kept the Warriors abreast of the R360 developments from the outset, and both parties are open to the prospect of a contract extension. The Warriors want to monitor how the Samoa international gets through another pre-season and his early form in 2026, while other NRL clubs have been told he is keeping his options open.

“On balance, six weeks ago … I would have said [R360] was the best option for him based on what we knew,” Sharrock said.

“But because we’ve not got the information in a timely fashion – I had a chat to Roger [Wednesday] morning – as far as I’m concerned, everything is on hold and we continue to explore all options ...

“Whether that be another year or two at the Warriors, whether it be an alternate club in the NRL, whatever it could be, our role is simply looking at all options.”

Storm star Cameron Munster is the latest NRL player linked to R360, while Papenhuyzen and Lomax are tipped to make the switch. The NRL has threatened managers and players who engage with R360 with 10-year bans. Schifcofske said on Wednesday he would not deal with R360 officials to avoid having his NRL accreditation cancelled.