Mike Tindall-led breakaway league swoop for ex-All Black despite failed code hop
Former All Blacks centre Roger Tuivasa-Sheck in action against Japan and ex-England midfielder Mike Tindall (inset).
New Zealand rugby league star and former All Blacks inside centre Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is being linked with a big-money move to rugby union’s rebel Rugby360 competition, according to Australian media reports.
According to a Sydney Morning Herald report, Tuivasa-Sheck could join the Saudi Arabian-backed Rugby360 competition from 2027 onwards on a contract believed to be worth around AUS$550,000 per year.
It was revealed last month that former England centre and 2003 Rugby World Cup winner Mike Tindall was one of the key figures behind Rugby360, a breakaway league which is designed to take the game around the world and make the sport more appealing to a wider audience.
Former Bath head coach Stuart Hooper is also involved in the project.
Failed union stint
Tuivasa-Sheck joined the Blues and New Zealand Rugby on a two-year deal in 2022, with the aim of making the All Blacks squad for the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.
However, he only made three appearances for the All Blacks during his two-year stint in rugby union before returning to rugby league in 2024 when he signed a three-year deal with NRL outfit the New Zealand Warriors until the end of the 2026 season.
Warriors chief executive Cameron George is aware of Rugby360’s interest in acquiring Tuivasa-Sheck’s services but would not discuss the matter when queried on it by the Sydney Morning Herald.
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However, just last week George told the Herald that he expects the yet-to-be-established competition to be a threat to the NRL’s recruitment as top players could earn up to $3,1 million per season if they are contracted.
“I raised it at a recent CEO’s meeting to ensure everyone’s aware of the real and genuine Rugby 360 concept,” he said.
“I’m aware of players that have been interviewed and engaged with. I’m aware of the significant financial opportunities that it could bring, particularly around the branding of the players as individuals.
“I needed to alert everyone so that they are across this and what it could bring in the next few years, because it’s a real and genuine concept that is growing momentum and could be quite attractive to any number of players.
“My understanding is that the financial windfalls are real and they’re significant. I’m sure that the financial windfalls are far greater than anything we’ve ever seen before in rugby.”
Another current NRL star Kalyn Ponga has also been linked with a move to Rugby360 as there is uncertainty over his future at his club, the Newcastle Knights.