Former England captain Mike Tindall has insisted that the R360 rebel league will be a huge success despite its launch being pushed back from this autumn to 2028. The controversial breakaway competition had reportedly reached over 200 provisional agreements with players from both rugby codes, but Tindall cited player welfare as a reason for the delay.
Tindall: R360 Will Be a Massive Success
Fronted by Tindall and former Bath director of rugby Stuart Hooper, R360 aims to create 'generational change' by establishing 12 new franchise teams worldwide, each featuring top talent. Players have been offered contracts worth up to $1 million (£740,000) per season, with just eight games in the maiden campaign and 12 weeks off. Potential locations include Tokyo, London, Dubai, Cape Town, Boston and Miami.
“Having to push it back to post the 2027 World Cup makes it more appealing to the Unions and makes us more appealing to everyone in the game,” Tindall told The Rugby Paper. “We’re working hard to pull it together and fit it into the game. Also player welfare is crucial with some having to play 11-15 internationals a year. So something has to give somewhere. We are trying to make sure the best players in the world don’t hit those levels of games and also get rewarded for it.”
He added: “Everyone who watched the last Six Nations saw just how good a product it can be in terms of excitement, entertainment and real drama. ... There is huge potential for a new tournaments with top players which fill a void between World Cups and Six Nations. For many years the game has stood still and failed to develop and create the global audience and support it deserves and needs.”
Springbok Legend Takes a Dig at Mike Phillips
Springboks great Fourie du Preez has aimed a cheeky dig at former Wales scrum-half Mike Phillips, reflecting on their clashes. The two iconic scrum-halves regularly locked horns, most notably during the 2009 British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa, where they started all three Tests.
Du Preez admitted on the Boks Unpacked podcast that he “didn’t enjoy” verbal sparring: “I was never [a chirpy scrum-half]. To be honest, I didn’t enjoy it. I don’t enjoy giving me lip, I like to let my play do the talking ... so luckily I had guys like Schalk and Bakkies who sorted him out.” He added: “Against Mike Phillips, I was lucky enough to never lose against Wales, so he can say whatever he wants, he’s got a zero per cent record.”
Former Springboks flanker Schalk Burger also chimed in with a story about Phillips clashing with lock Bakkies Botha during the 2009 Lions tour. Burger recalled: “Bakkies grabbed him once ... and then calmed down and he said: ‘Oh my, you’ve got beautiful blue eyes’. Mike is there thinking, ‘what just happened? Bakkies has complimented me on my eyes’.”
Tragic Young Prop's Brother Pays Tribute
The brother of late South African prop Luqobo 'Bibo' Makwedini has paid tribute after his body arrived back from France. Makwedini, 20, collapsed after a training session with French Pro D2 side Béziers and died in hospital a few hours later, believed to have suffered a cardiac arrest.
His remains arrived in South Africa this weekend, and he will be laid to rest on August 1. His older brother Sihle said: “Bibo was everything to me. As an older brother, having to also be a guardian to people, a friend, I think I've lost. ... I'll miss everything about him.”
Nick Evans Confirms New Role in Japan
Former All Black and Harlequins legend Nick Evans has confirmed he will become an assistant coach with Toshiba Brave Lupus in Japan, after departing the Stoop following 18 years. The 16-cap New Zealand fly-half had applied for a job with the Welsh Rugby Union but secured this role instead.
Writing on LinkedIn, Evans said: “Konichiwa, Toshiba Brave Lupus Family, Myself and my family are proud and honoured to join the Toshiba Team! I can’t wait to connect with the players, coaches, staff, fans and everyone associated with Toshiba. To learn the Toshiba way of life and their very clear identity of playing, and to live the wonderful Japanese culture.”
