R360 League Athletes Subject to 10-Year Ban from Australia's Rugby League

The NRL's governing body has stated that players who join the “breakaway” R360 competition will be barred for a decade.

The proposed competition, scheduled to begin in 2026, is seeking to lure rugby union and rugby league players with substantial agreements and a condensed fixture list.

Leading NRL stars have reportedly been approached by the new league, which will involve six or eight men's teams and four women's teams located in major cities around the world.

Representing Samoa the rugby star, who is with New Zealand Warriors in the competition, has stated he has had discussions with the breakaway league.

Papenhuyzen, Zac Lomax, Payne Haas and Gray are also reported to be thinking about signing the rebel league.

A group of union countries, including Australia, last week announced a restriction on athletes signing with R360 participating in global fixtures.

“We have consulted our clubs and we've responded strongly,” commented the league's chief the official.

“Sadly, there will always be entities that seek to pirate our sport for monetary profit.

“They avoid funding in development systems or the growth of talent. They merely capitalize on the efforts of others, putting players at risk of financial loss while gaining personally.

“Essentially, they are, copying the game.”

R360 is co-founded by retired international Mike Tindall and backed by commercial backers.

Subsequent to the potential union bans were declared recently, it commented: “We aim to collaborate together as a component of the global rugby calendar.

“The event is structured with tailored timetables for men's and women's teams and we will release all players for global fixtures, as included in their agreements.”

R360 will seek approval for its initiatives from World Rugby, the sport's administrative organization, at its council meeting in 2026.