Bellamy admits Rugby360 is “a threat”

[Woodsie]

Bellamy admits Rugby360 is “a threat”​

Story by Isaac Issa


Rugby360, the cashed-up breakaway rugby competition taking the sports world by storm, is looming as a likely threat to the NRL's superstar stocks.

With Ryan Papenhuyzen, the latest star linked with the polarising new league, his coach Craig Bellamy has opened up on what it means for the NRL.

Speaking to Fox League, Bellamy touched on the recent links Rugby360 has had with his star fullback, revealing he isn't fully across the reports.


"I don't know enough about that to have a real comment on that," he conceded.

Despite his ambiguity on the subject, he did admit that the new competition is not one to be ignored.

"If they have got a fair bit of money and are willing to throw it at people, that's going to be a threat," Bellamy declared.

Kalyn Ponga has also been linked to the new rugby competition, as has Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who could make over $1 million a season if he were to make the code switch.

Papenhuyzen is reportedly looking at $1.5 million a season as a Rugby360 recruit, a much bigger paycheck than what he'd make in the NRL.

The competition still has a few hurdles to overcome before it is declared an official league; however, it seems even an NRL legend in Bellamy is wary of the ramifications it could have on the league.



Does anyone know more about this ???

 

[mave]

If it gets up, and that's a big if, I can see it lasting 1-2 seasons at best.

Who the fk is going to fully get behind a soulless team full of random players playing against other soulless teams full of random players.
The novelty will wear off real quick, as a fan.

The worst thing to happen for NRL is damn player managers using it as a tool to ratchet up player prices here, especially if we lose a RTS type to 360.

And as always, if one goes, another opportunity is created for someone else to shine.

 

[Brookie1973]

What I don’t get is where the money comes from in Rugby. Who watches it? Maybe a big test match every 4 years or so, but at club level it’s been dead for years.

 

[Waz13]

What I don’t get is where the money comes from in Rugby. Who watches it? Maybe a big test match every 4 years or so, but at club level it’s been dead for years.

Can only think the international dollars have been propping it up here.

 

[Waz13]

If it gets up, and that's a big if, I can see it lasting 1-2 seasons at best.

Who the fk is going to fully get behind a soulless team full of random players playing against other soulless teams full of random players.
The novelty will wear off real quick, as a fan.

The worst thing to happen for NRL is damn player managers using it as a tool to ratchet up player prices here, especially if we lose a RTS type to 360.

And as always, if one goes, another opportunity is created for someone else to shine.

Liv golf is going down the tubes it seems.

 

[Cliffycomeback]

What I don’t get is where the money comes from in Rugby. Who watches it? Maybe a big test match every 4 years or so, but at club level it’s been dead for years.

Rugby is huge in the Northern hemisphere. The Six Nations, top 14 and European Champions Cup are massive. They have a lot of money but the NRL has made serious gains in terms of clawing away at Rugby's financial supremacy. If they can takeover the Superleague it's will be very good for the sport in England.

 

[Brookie1973]

Unrealistic I know, but how good would it be if all the pampered Prima Donna’s jumped ship to a new plastic league, and Rugby League returned to a grass roots competition? No bunker, rule changes that rewarded classic league legs tackling, no more than 2 in a tackle, no six agains, 3 grades on match day, etc etc. I think a lot of people are turned off by the current league “product”, and only remain fans by virtue of team loyalty.

 

[Woodsie]

Unrealistic I know, but how good would it be if all the pampered Prima Donna’s jumped ship to a new plastic league, and Rugby League returned to a grass roots competition? No bunker, rule changes that rewarded classic league legs tackling, no more than 2 in a tackle, no six agains, 3 grades on match day, etc etc. I think a lot of people are turned off by the current league “product”, and only remain fans by virtue of team loyalty.

Seriously .. the "product" has broken all financial and viewership records ... the game has gone to a whole new level over the past 3 years ... and with the US streaming giants, along with the gambling mobs showing real interest ... the game is flourishing ...

If old Nobby is still pissed that we no longer have contested scrums .... the game doesn't care ..

 

[Woodsie]

Rugby is huge in the Northern hemisphere. The Six Nations, top 14 and European Champions Cup are massive. They have a lot of money but the NRL has made serious gains in terms of clawing away at Rugby's financial supremacy. If they can takeover the Superleague it's will be very good for the sport in England.

IF or when Rugby360 becomes a real pest ... Wouldn't be surprised if V'lndy's responded by significantly increasing the salary cap ... and gives cap concessions to Rugby players signed ..

I don't think V'landy's is the type to not shoot back.

 

[Brookie1973]

Seriously .. the "product" has broken all financial and viewership records ... the game has gone to a whole new level over the past 3 years ... and with the US streaming giants, along with the gambling mobs showing real interest ... the game is flourishing ...

If old Nobby is still pissed that we no longer have contested scrums .... the game doesn't care ..

Not sure the endorsement from gambling mobs proves anything. But yeah, no doubt the “product” appeals to today’s generation. Just expressing my opinion that the game was a better watch 20 years ago.

NB Not sure who old Nobby is but I never mentioned contested scrums.

 

[Cliffycomeback]

IF or when Rugby360 becomes a real pest ... Wouldn't be surprised if V'lndy's responded by significantly increasing the salary cap ... and gives cap concessions to Rugby players signed ..

I don't think V'landy's is the type to not shoot back.

I agree Woodsie. V'Landys is a switched on administrator and the game has grown financially and in popularity under his guidance.