R360 League Athletes Hit With 10-Season Ban from National Rugby League

Rugby league's authority has stated that participants who join the “counterfeit” R360 league will be banned for 10 seasons.

R360, which plans to launch in October 2026, is seeking to lure players from union and league with hefty contracts and a condensed playing schedule.

Top NRL athletes have allegedly been contacted by the breakaway group, which will involve six or eight men's teams and four women's sides operating from major cities around the world.

The Samoan Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who is with the Warriors in the competition, has confirmed he has had negotiations involving R360.

Ryan Papenhuyzen, Zac Lomax, Haas and Jye Gray are also said to be considering joining R360.

Eight major union countries, such as Australia, last week declared a restriction on athletes signing with R360 appearing in test matches.

“We've listened to our franchises and we've responded strongly,” said ARLC chief V'Landys.

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

“They fail to contribute in pathways or the growth of talent. They simply exploit the hard work of existing bodies, jeopardizing careers of financial loss while gaining personally.

“They are, in reality, copying the game.”

R360 is launched by retired international Tindall and backed by commercial backers.

After the possible union sanctions were announced recently, it said: “We want to work in partnership as a component of the international rugby schedule.

“The competition is arranged with customized calendars for male and female sides and R360 will release all players for test matches, as written into their deals.”

R360 will seek approval for its proposals from rugby union's governing body, rugby union's regulatory group, at its official gathering in the coming year.