R360 Competition Players Face 10-Year Ban from National Rugby League

Rugby league's authority has declared that players who sign with the “breakaway” R360 league will be barred for 10 years.

The new league, which plans to launch in October 2026, is seeking to lure rugby union and rugby league players with lucrative deals and a slimmed-down playing schedule.

Prominent rugby league athletes have reportedly received offers by R360, which will feature multiple men's sides and four women's sides located in major cities worldwide.

The Samoan the player, who is with his NRL club in the competition, has confirmed he has had discussions with R360.

Papenhuyzen, Lomax, Payne Haas and Jye Gray are also said to be considering joining the rebel league.

A group of union nations, including Australia, recently declared a ban on athletes signing with R360 appearing in international matches.

“We heard our clubs and we've responded strongly,” stated ARLC head V'Landys.

“Sadly, there will continually be organizations that attempt to hijack our code for monetary profit.

“They fail to contribute in talent pipelines or the advancement of talent. They simply exploit the efforts of existing bodies, jeopardizing careers of economic hardship while benefiting financially.

“Essentially, they are, counterfeiting a code.”

The organization is co-founded by ex-England star Tindall and supported by private investors.

Subsequent to the prospective union bans were revealed earlier, it stated: “We seek to cooperate collaboratively as part of the global rugby calendar.

“The competition is structured with tailored timetables for both genders and R360 will allow all athletes for test matches, as specified in their contracts.”

The new league will seek approval for its proposals from the international authority, rugby union's regulatory group, at its official gathering in the coming year.