R360 League Athletes Face 10-Year Exclusion from Australia's Rugby League

The NRL's governing body has stated that participants who join the “counterfeit” R360 competition will be prohibited for 10 seasons.

The new league, which plans to launch in October 2026, is hoping to draw athletes from both codes with lucrative deals and a condensed game calendar.

Top rugby league athletes have reportedly received offers by the breakaway group, which will include multiple men's teams and four women's sides operating from major cities worldwide.

Representing Samoa Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who is with New Zealand Warriors in the NRL, has said he has had talks with R360.

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

Eight major rugby union teams, among them Australia, earlier declared a ban on players joining R360 participating in test matches.

“We've listened to our franchises and we've responded strongly,” said the league's chairman V'Landys.

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

“They fail to contribute in pathways or the development of athletes. They only leverage the dedication of existing bodies, jeopardizing careers of monetary damage while gaining personally.

“Essentially, they are, counterfeiting a code.”

The organization is established by former England World Cup winner Tindall and backed by commercial backers.

After the potential rugby union bans were declared recently, it commented: “We want to work together as part of the international rugby schedule.

“The competition is structured with bespoke schedules for men's and women's teams and we will permit participants for international matches, as specified in their contracts.”

R360 will apply for endorsement for its initiatives from the international authority, union's governing body, at its official gathering in 2026.