R360 Players Hit With Decade-Long Exclusion from Australia's Rugby League

The NRL's authority has announced that athletes who join the “counterfeit” R360 competition will be barred for a decade.

The new league, scheduled to begin in 2026, is seeking to lure rugby union and rugby league players with lucrative deals and a slimmed-down playing schedule.

Prominent NRL athletes have reportedly received offers by the new league, which will include multiple men's sides and four women's teams operating from key urban centers globally.

Samoa's the rugby star, who plays for his NRL club in the NRL, has confirmed he has had talks with the breakaway league.

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

A group of rugby union teams, including Australia, earlier declared a prohibition on athletes signing with R360 participating in global fixtures.

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

“Regrettably, there will continually be groups that seek to pirate our game for monetary profit.

“They fail to contribute in talent pipelines or the advancement of athletes. They simply exploit the dedication of existing bodies, putting players at risk of financial loss while benefiting financially.

“Essentially, they are, copying the game.”

The league is launched by former England World Cup winner Tindall and backed by commercial backers.

Following the potential rugby union sanctions were announced recently, it said: “We aim to collaborate together as part of the global rugby calendar.

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

R360 will apply for endorsement for its initiatives from the international authority, rugby union's regulatory group, at its board session in the coming year.