Imagine a rugby revolution that could change the game forever. But here's where it gets controversial... Could a new, bold event like R360 take flight, or is it destined to crash and burn like its predecessor, the World 12s? This is the burning question that Rowena Samarasinhe, a key figure in rugby innovation, is urging the sport to confront.
You might faintly recall the Indian Cricket League (ICL), a brainchild of billionaire Subhash Chandra, which emerged in 2007 as a groundbreaking T20 tournament. With legends like Kapil Dev, Brian Lara, and Inzamam-ul-Haq headlining its inaugural season, the ICL promised to redefine cricket. Yet, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) dismissed it as a 'veterans' series no one would watch,' banning players involved and rallying other nations to follow suit. Ironically, the BCCI soon launched the Indian Premier League (IPL), a near-identical concept that skyrocketed into a global phenomenon, now valued at billions. And this is the part most people miss... The IPL's success wasn't just about cricket—it was about seizing an opportunity before someone else did.
Samarasinhe argues rugby is at a similar crossroads. 'The IPL took time to find its rhythm, but now it’s indispensable,' she notes. Her brainchild, the World 12s, aimed to be rugby's IPL—a three-week, 12-a-side tournament featuring the sport's biggest stars in a major global city like Los Angeles. Despite backing from legends like Kieran Read and Schalk Burger, and promises of £250,000 paydays, it never took off. Why? Here’s the bold truth: Rugby’s governing bodies, like the BCCI once did, resisted change, fearing disruption to the status quo.
World Rugby’s reluctance to endorse the 12-a-side format and the chicken-and-egg dilemma of securing players and investors doomed the World 12s. Samarasinhe reflects, 'Investors want players on board, but players won’t commit without guaranteed funding. It’s a Catch-22.' Yet, she remains steadfast: 'Rugby must innovate from within or risk being overtaken by external disruptors like R360.'
R360, the latest rebel on the block, plans a five-month global tour starting in 2026, signing players permanently away from clubs. But Samarasinhe is skeptical. 'How will they fill stadiums in Miami or Tokyo? Are they underestimating the challenge?' she asks. Unlike the World 12s, which aimed for a contained, buzz-worthy event, R360’s ambitious scope could be its Achilles' heel.
Here’s the provocative question: Is rugby ready to embrace change, or will it cling to tradition until it’s too late? Samarasinhe’s message is clear: 'Stagnation isn’t an option. We need bold moves, not more of the same.' What do you think? Is R360 the future, or is rugby better off sticking to its roots? Let’s debate this in the comments—your voice could shape the sport’s next chapter.
