R360 League Athletes Subject to Decade-Long Exclusion from National Rugby League

Australian rugby league's authority has declared that participants who sign with the “breakaway” R360 league will be prohibited for a decade.

The proposed competition, scheduled to begin in October 2026, is seeking to lure rugby union and rugby league players with lucrative deals and a slimmed-down fixture list.

Top NRL athletes have reportedly been approached by the new league, which will include six to eight men's sides and four women's sides based in major cities globally.

The Samoan the player, who is with his NRL club in the competition, has stated he has had negotiations involving the new organization.

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

A group of rugby union teams, such as Australia, earlier imposed a prohibition on athletes signing with R360 participating in international matches.

“We've listened to our franchises and we've acted decisively,” stated the league's head the official.

“Unfortunately, there will always be organizations that attempt to hijack our sport for monetary profit.

“They avoid funding in pathways or the advancement of athletes. They simply exploit the hard work of other organizations, jeopardizing careers of financial loss while benefiting financially.

“In truth, they represent, copying the game.”

The league is co-founded by retired international Tindall and funded by independent financiers.

After the possible union bans were revealed last week, it said: “We aim to collaborate collaboratively as part of the global rugby calendar.

“The event is structured with bespoke schedules for both genders and we will allow all athletes for global fixtures, as specified in their agreements.”

The new league will seek approval for its plans from World Rugby, union's regulatory group, at its board session in the coming year.