South Sydney Rabbitohs fullback Jye Gray has reportedly been offered a lucrative deal worth roughly $920,000 ($600,000 USD) by the breakaway rugby union competition Rugby 360.
Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett previously described R360 as a “Super League‑level threat”, warning it could poach major names from the NRL with financial offers NRL clubs cannot match.
“I don’t know how we combat it, but I will say this — the game needs to come together sooner rather than later in terms of the CEOs and the game itself. Let’s talk about what the hell is going on out there."
“Have the conversation we need to have with each other and discuss how do we stop it, what do we do?” Bennett has warned previously.
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The offer comes after just 28 NRL appearances and represents a significant bid from a rebel league that has been linked to NRL poaching raids for months, but had not yet made a formal offer to any player until now.
It marks a dramatic development in the broader recruitment battle, especially given R360’s simultaneous interest in high-profile names like Ryan Papenhuyzen, Reece Walsh and Nathan Cleary, among others.
R360 organisers reportedly need to get their recruitment to a level that can trigger further funding and investment for the next stages of the competition, so this could be a worrying sign of things to come for the NRL.
The other frightening detail is that if the competition is based in Dubai, the value of such contracts could increase dramatically without going up a dollar, due to the removal of tax obligations players might otherwise face.
Gray, who emerged as an early Dally M leader this year through brilliant form while regular fullback Latrell Mitchell was sidelined, is still waiting for his first consistent opportunity at NRL level.
He is also no stranger to rugby, having played the 15-man code for years during his schooling and has already displayed enough potential through his NRL appearances to attract serious interest from overseas.
Despite currently playing second fiddle to Latrell Mitchell at South Sydney, at just 21 years old Gray's electric speed and attacking prowess have made him one of the Rabbitohs’ brighter young stars and an exciting player with ball in hand that could transition easily to R360.
South Sydney are now facing a major retention challenge, and with no consistent first grade jersey on offer, there’s no way clubs in the Rabbitohs’ position can compete with that level of contract money.
Gray remains under contract until the end of 2026, but there is no doubt an offer like this could result in a release request from Gray's management should he choose to switch codes.
For Gray, the decision may come down to immediate financial rewards versus continuing his development under a mentor like Wayne Bennett and remaining at home in Sydney to try and carve out a start in the NRL.
If he does leave, it will serve as the first real blow Rugby 360 has been able to land, and no doubt the NRL will be officially put on notice — it would be a warning shot that could start a war.