'That's their challenge': Joe Schmidt weighs in on R360 threat as rugby's 'IPL' tries to shake up the establishment
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Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt is determined to ensure that R360 is not a distraction to his players as the rebel rugby competition waves large wads of cash under the noses of some of the planet's biggest stars.
The Sydney Morning Herald reported that Rugby Australia will likely blacklist players from the Wallabies if they sign up to the ambitious new league.
Fronted by former England star Mike Tindall, R360 is scheduled to kick off on October 2 next year.
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Organisers are planning for six men's teams and four women's with franchises based in London, Miami, Tokyo, Dubai, Boston, Cape Town, Lisbon and Madrid.
"It hasn't been talked about at all. I'm not sure what players have been approached, if any," Schmidt told reporters in Perth on Thursday.
"The one thing I've learned in being so old, it won't really concern me. I'll be retired at that stage. But the things you can't control, you just try not to get distracted by.
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Joe Schmidt wearing a fake moustache in honour of the last international match for Nic White. Getty
"For me and for the group at the moment, our sole focus is on Saturday. And what happens beyond that with 360, if it does become viable, then that will be a bridge that gets crossed by RA and players and the group that are putting it together."
Schmidt, 60, fell into the professional game almost by accident.
A skinny winger in New Zealand for Manawatu, Schmidt got into rugby coaching through his school teaching job.
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"I grew up in the amateur era. And without really making myself feel particularly old, I still love the tradition in New Zealand, the NPC," Schmidt said.
"You know, the Shute Shield (in Sydney), I still love watching those games, the Hospital Cup (in Brisbane)... so I think with a concept like 360, you tend to get further away from the roots of the game. And that's where I was, pretty much embedded in the roots of the game as a young kid growing up.
"And so it's a little bit foreign."
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck of the All Blacks celebrates victory at Eden Park. Getty
The Herald reported that R360 would release players for international rugby and would hold a draft in July next year.
The competition is also targeting NRL stars Ryan Papenhuyzen, Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Zac Lomax on offers of up to $1.4m a season.
"I guess it's a little bit akin to the IPL, isn't it, where that was transformative to a degree to cricket," Schmidt said.
"I've got to say, I really enjoy watching Big Bash. I think it's a really good concept. At the same time, the traditions of longer-term cricket - I still see appeal in those.
"So if the balance can be maintained - I'm just not sure about so much of it and what it actually is going to look like. It's hard to predict."
Schmidt was optimistic that the Wallabies still had appeal with a younger generation of fans.
"We had a sold-out stadium at Allianz and there were lots of kids," he said.
Wallabies fans wait for players. Getty
"And I've had some unbelievable letters from kids. Kids who said how proud they are to support the Wallabies and things like that. I still think there is connection there. And it's our responsibility to keep growing that connection."
Schmidt also noted that basing R360 teams in Lisbon and Madrid wasn't as left-field as some might think.
"Spain have been coming up the ranks really well in world rugby, in sevens particularly, and they play a great brand of rugby," he said.
"Portugal at the last World Cup were outstanding and great to watch. And so those influences, those ripples are already happening. ..
"That would put a totally different flavour on it, wouldn't it? Dubai - you're talking about totally different environments where there will be different events, a bit more than just a game. A game of rugby between two teams becomes a festival of spectator engagement. I think that's the differentiation they're looking for.
"And I guess that's their challenge to make sure that that's what happens."
