Wallabies center Len Ikitau has revealed he will not take part in the Rebels’ R360 competition if it means being ruled out of the 2027 World Cup.
The 27-year-old confirmed that he had been approached by R360 to take part in the contest. Organizers hope to start next October, but are reluctant to participate given the possibility of losing testing spots.
“I could play in the Rugby World Cup, but I don’t think I’ll ever get that opportunity again in Australia,” Ikitau told reporters upon his arrival in Exeter.
“So with that in the back of my mind that I want to represent Australia in the 2027 World Cup, that’s what I want to do.”
Rugby Australia joins other major rugby unions including New Zealand, England, Ireland and France in announcing that players who choose to join breakaway leagues will be banned from competing internationally.
The competition aims to have a total of 12 franchises (eight men’s teams and four women’s teams) spread around the world, and matches will be played in a touring format similar to F1, with events scheduled to take place in Miami, London and Tokyo.
Organizers claim they have up to 200 international player signatures and are targeting a number of players within Australia, including high-profile rugby league stars such as Rhys Walsh, Nathan Cleary and Payne Haas.
“It looks like it’s going to be an exciting tournament,” Ikitau added.
“When you say you can’t play in the World Cup if you play in that tournament, it’s like weighing your options.
“I think it would be great if there was a new rugby tournament, but who knows who will take part in it.
“I think the manager has contacted me and I’m at Exeter and I’m going back to Brums next year.”
Ikitau recently arrived at Exeter on a one-year contract following the Rugby Championship, and despite a strong start to the season with post-siren wins – the opening win against the Springboks in Johannesburg and an incredible victory over the Pumas in Townsville – Australia finished third with two wins from six Tests.
He joins England center Henry Slade and winger Immanuel Fay-Waboso as they aim to bounce back from a team that finished second-bottom in last season’s Premiership.
talk Between the two posts of Stan Sport Speaking on a podcast earlier this week, the center revealed he will not be available for the Wallabies’ opening year-end Tests against Japan on October 25 (AEDT) and England on November 2 (AEDT), but hopes to be available for the match against Italy on November 9 (AEDT).
“I was talking to Joe (Schmidt) last week and was about to tell him to come to England week to do his weekly training because I know how much Joe likes it when the players are new to training with the team,” Ikitau said.
“He just said, ‘No, take a week off and I’ll put you in for Italian week.’
“So I just listen to my boss and play it by ear.
“In light of the Rugby Championship, we were obviously disappointed with the last two games (the loss to New Zealand), but we are moving in the right direction.”