R360 League Players Hit With 10-Season Exclusion from NRL

The NRL's administration has announced that athletes who enter the “counterfeit” R360 competition will be barred for 10 seasons.

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

Leading rugby league stars have reportedly been approached by the new league, which will include six to eight men's sides and four women's sides based in key urban centers around the world.

Representing Samoa the rugby star, who represents the Warriors in the competition, has confirmed he has had talks with the breakaway league.

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

Several leading rugby union nations, including Australia, last week imposed a prohibition on R360 recruits participating in global fixtures.

“We heard our clubs and we've acted decisively,” said Australian Rugby League Commission head Peter V'Landys.

“Unfortunately, there will always be entities that try to exploit our sport for potential financial gain.

“They fail to contribute in talent pipelines or the development of athletes. They simply exploit the efforts of other organizations, jeopardizing careers of monetary damage while benefiting financially.

“They are, in reality, imitating the sport.”

R360 is co-founded by retired international Mike Tindall and supported by independent financiers.

Subsequent to the prospective union sanctions were announced last week, it commented: “We want to work collaboratively as a component of the worldwide fixture list.

“The competition is arranged with customized calendars for both genders and we will allow all athletes for test matches, as specified in their deals.”

The new league will seek approval for its initiatives from rugby union's governing body, rugby union's governing body, at its board session in 2026.