R360 has caused a stir around the globe. Here’s what the Wallabies coach thinks about it

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt insists the threat of players leaving Australia to sign lucrative deals with Rugby 360 has not been a distraction ahead of the second Bledisloe Cup clash this week.

Schmidt did, however, say he has doubts about the rebel competition’s long-term viability.

Fresh details emerged this week about the breakaway league, including a start date of October 2, 2026, plus proposed teams and cities, which were circulated to player managers with clients in rugby league and union.

Rugby Australia is preparing to blacklist players who sign with R360, but is yet to make a public stance. Several current and former Wallabies, as well as Australian sevens representatives, are among 160 players to sign a heads of agreement to negotiate with organisers.

Australian players from both codes are ready to take up lucrative contracts, but who and exactly how many remains to be seen.

“It hasn’t been talked about at all,” Schmidt said after naming Jake Gordon and Tane Edmed as Australia’s halves for Saturday’s second Test against New Zealand in Perth.

“I’m not sure what players have been approached, if any. The things you can’t control you just try not to get distracted by. For the group at the moment, our sole focus is on Saturday and what happens beyond with 360, if it does become viable, then that’ll be a bridge that gets crossed by RA and players.

“I think with a concept like 360, you tend to get further away from the roots of the game. I was pretty much embedded in the roots of the game as a young kid growing up, so it’s a little bit foreign. I guess it’s a little bit akin to the IPL. That was transformative to a degree with cricket.

“I’m just not sure about so much of it and what it is actually going to look like. It’s hard to predict.

“You’re talking about totally different environments where there will be different events … a bit more than just a game … a festival of spectator engagement.”

Wallabies prop Allan Alaalatoa said he had not been approached.

“I wouldn’t know too much of that because they haven’t hit me up,” Alaalatoa told reporters. “From a player’s perspective, there’s a lot of us who have signed until the World Cup. As players, we’re just focused on the next moment and giving everything to our states and the Wallabies.”

All Blacks coach Scott Robertson is confident of keeping New Zealand’s best talent.

“I’m heavily involved with the contracting side of stuff, and we’re really pleased with our next four years,” Robertson said. “Some players we know have looked [at R360]. It’s for their agents to look and create the best deal. All our players we know have signed with us or are about to.”

On the selection front, Schmidt has made five changes to the Wallabies starting side that was beaten last week in Auckland.

Filipo Daugunu replaces Corey Toole on the wing, while Edmed will start at No.10 in place of James O’Connor, who drops to the bench. Tom Lynagh (hamstring) and Angus Bell (rib) were not deemed fit enough for selection.

“With the experience that James [O’Connor] brings, we still see that as being important coming off the bench,” Schmidt said. “I felt Tane was pretty unlucky in the Argentinian Test. He actually did some really good things. He’s built into the week really confidently, and we’ve got confidence in him.”

Gordon, returning from a hamstring injury, will play his first Test since the second Lions match. The Waratahs captain has a long-standing combination with Edmed at Super Rugby level and will be tasked with steadying the 25-year-old, who had a mixed outing against Argentina in Sydney.

Towering second-rower Will Skelton is back after being released by La Rochelle, while Rob Valetini is on a five-three bench that does not include Carlo Tizzano, who has been dropped for a Test in front of his home fans.

The occasion will be particularly significant for veteran prop James Slipper, who will play his 151st and final Test after announcing his retirement from international rugby earlier this week. Slipper informed his Wallabies teammates via a text message in a group chat after breaking the news to Schmidt over coffee on Monday morning.

“He’s a legend. He’s such a great bloke … and will be missed massively,” Schmidt said.

To claim The Rugby Championship, Australia must beat New Zealand and hope South Africa lose to Argentina. Even then, it might not be enough for top spot.

The Wallabies have won four of their eight Tests this year.

“The silverware, make no mistake, would be a massive bonus,” Schmidt said. “It’s a long time since we’ve even been in a competitive position for The Rugby Championship. If we could get a win this week, we’d finish second at worst. That’d be incredible.”

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