R360 League Recruits Face 10-Season Ban from Australia's Rugby League

The NRL's governing body has declared that athletes who join the “rebel” R360 competition will be barred for a decade.

The proposed competition, which plans to launch in late 2026, is hoping to draw rugby union and rugby league players with substantial agreements and a slimmed-down playing schedule.

Top NRL players have reportedly received offers by R360, which will feature six to eight men's clubs and four women's teams located in large metropolitan areas worldwide.

Samoa's the player, who represents the Warriors in the competition, has said he has had discussions with the new organization.

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

A group of rugby union nations, such as Australia, recently announced a restriction on players joining R360 appearing in global fixtures.

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

“Regrettably, there will continually be groups that try to exploit our sport for economic benefit.

“They avoid funding in pathways or the growth of players. They simply exploit the efforts of other organizations, jeopardizing careers of financial loss while benefiting financially.

“In truth, they represent, counterfeiting a code.”

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

Subsequent to the potential union sanctions were revealed recently, it commented: “We want to work collaboratively as integrated into the international rugby schedule.

“The event is designed with bespoke schedules for both genders and we will allow all athletes for international matches, as specified in their deals.”

The breakaway group will request authorization for its initiatives from rugby union's governing body, the sport's administrative organization, at its official gathering in 2026.