R360 League Recruits Hit With 10-Year Exclusion from Australia's Rugby League

The NRL's administration has stated that athletes who enter the “breakaway” R360 will be banned for 10 seasons.

The proposed competition, scheduled to begin in October 2026, is aiming to attract rugby union and rugby league players with substantial agreements and a slimmed-down game calendar.

Prominent rugby league stars have allegedly been contacted by the breakaway group, which will feature six to eight men's clubs and four women's teams located in large metropolitan areas around the world.

The Samoan the rugby star, who is with his NRL club in the league, has said he has had discussions with the breakaway league.

Papenhuyzen, Lomax, Haas and Jye Gray are also believed to be weighing up offers from R360.

Eight major union nations, among them Australia, recently announced a ban on athletes signing with R360 playing international matches.

“We've listened to our teams and we've taken firm action,” said Australian Rugby League Commission chairman V'Landys.

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

“They avoid funding in pathways or the development of players. They only leverage the hard work of other organizations, putting players at risk of financial loss while gaining personally.

“Essentially, they are, imitating the sport.”

R360 is co-founded by retired international Mike Tindall and backed by commercial backers.

Subsequent to the potential rugby union bans were revealed recently, it said: “We want to work collaboratively as a component of the worldwide fixture list.

“The event is structured with customized calendars for both genders and we will permit participants for test matches, as written into their contracts.”

R360 will apply for endorsement for its initiatives from rugby union's governing body, the sport's regulatory group, at its council meeting in the coming year.