Rugby league fans are stunned as whispers of a star-studded player raid threaten to shake the NRL’s foundations. Two of the game’s biggest names—Reece Walsh and Nathan Cleary—have reportedly surfaced on a confidential target list connected to the ambitious breakaway rugby union league, R360. But here’s where things get even more explosive: they’re not alone.
According to a detailed report from Code Sports, R360 has its eyes on as many as ten marquee NRL players as part of an aggressive recruitment campaign designed to lure the game’s brightest talent across codes. The list allegedly features Cameron Munster, Ryan Papenhuyzen, Payne Haas, Xavier Coates, Deine Mariner, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Zac Lomax, and Jye Gray—alongside Walsh and Cleary at the very top.
A source close to R360 described the project as more than a rumor, warning that “this is real and credible—it’s Super League 2.0. History might just be repeating itself.” The comparison is striking; many fans still remember the 1990s Super League war that split the sport. Could we be witnessing the early stages of another seismic shift in rugby league history?
What makes this situation even more intriguing is the strategy behind the recruitment. R360 isn’t just chasing athletic talent—it’s going after marketable superstars. Reece Walsh, already one of the NRL’s most recognizable faces both on and off the field, has reportedly been labeled as the dream recruit. Despite his lucrative long-term deal with the Brisbane Broncos through 2029, insiders say R360 is prepared to dangle a staggering multi-million-dollar annual offer to get his signature.
For Nathan Cleary, the approach seems to go beyond money. R360 aims to attract him—and others—by pitching opportunities for worldwide commercial expansion and fewer financial restrictions. With no salary cap constraints like the NRL imposes, R360’s freedom to negotiate may radically reshape what top players can earn.
And the figures being mentioned are jaw-dropping. Some stars could be offered upwards of $US2 million per year, or more than $3 million AUD, with reports suggesting potential tax advantages could push total take-home pay close to $5 million a season. For players like Payne Haas, already one of the NRL’s most dominant forwards, the decision could be life-changing. Whispers suggest he’s weighing a deal worth around $10 million over two years. Yet, for Haas, the situation is deeply personal—rooted in his loyalty to Brisbane and his role supporting his siblings, especially with both parents currently incarcerated.
So here’s the burning question for fans and pundits alike: could we see another exodus of elite NRL talent that reshapes the sport like the Super League saga did decades ago? Or will loyalty, legacy, and love of the game keep these stars grounded in the NRL? Drop your thoughts below—do you think R360’s bold plan will succeed, or will it crash under the weight of its own hype?
