R360 Competition Athletes Subject to 10-Season Exclusion from National Rugby League

Australian rugby league's administration has stated that players who join the “rebel” R360 league will be barred for 10 seasons.

R360, scheduled to begin in 2026, is seeking to lure athletes from both codes with lucrative deals and a slimmed-down playing schedule.

Top NRL stars have allegedly been contacted by the breakaway group, which will involve six to eight men's teams and women's teams located in key urban centers around the world.

Representing Samoa the player, who plays for the Warriors in the league, has stated he has had discussions with the new organization.

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

Several leading union nations, such as Australia, recently imposed a ban on R360 recruits appearing in test matches.

“We have consulted our franchises and we've acted decisively,” stated ARLC head V'Landys.

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

“They avoid funding in development systems or the development of players. They simply exploit the efforts of others, putting players at risk of monetary damage while gaining personally.

“Essentially, they are, copying the game.”

R360 is launched by former England World Cup winner Mike Tindall and backed by commercial backers.

Following the possible rugby union sanctions were announced earlier, it commented: “We want to work together as integrated into the worldwide fixture list.

“The series is structured with bespoke schedules for male and female sides and we will allow all athletes for international matches, as written into their deals.”

R360 will request authorization for its initiatives from rugby union's governing body, the sport's regulatory group, at its board session in the coming year.