R360 Players Hit With Decade-Long Exclusion from National Rugby League

Rugby league's governing body has declared that athletes who sign with the “counterfeit” R360 league will be barred for a decade.

The new league, set to start in October 2026, is aiming to attract players from union and league with lucrative deals and a reduced playing schedule.

Leading National Rugby League athletes have reportedly received offers by the breakaway group, which will feature multiple men's teams and four women's sides located in large metropolitan areas around the world.

The Samoan the player, who plays for his NRL club in the league, has stated he has had negotiations involving the breakaway league.

Papenhuyzen, Zac Lomax, Haas and Gray are also said to be weighing up offers from the rebel league.

Eight major union nations, among them Australia, recently announced a ban on R360 recruits appearing in global fixtures.

“We have consulted our clubs and we've responded strongly,” stated Australian Rugby League Commission head Peter V'Landys.

“Sadly, there will persistently exist entities that seek to pirate our sport for economic benefit.

“They fail to contribute in development systems or the growth of talent. They simply exploit the hard work of existing bodies, jeopardizing careers of financial loss while profiting themselves.

“Essentially, they are, copying the game.”

The organization is launched by former England World Cup winner Tindall and supported by commercial backers.

Following the prospective rugby union bans were announced earlier, it stated: “We seek to cooperate collaboratively as part of the worldwide fixture list.

“The event is designed with customized calendars for men's and women's teams and we will allow all athletes for international matches, as specified in their agreements.”

R360 will seek approval for its initiatives from World Rugby, rugby union's administrative organization, at its board session in the coming year.