R360 League Recruits Subject to 10-Season Exclusion from National Rugby League

Australian rugby league's authority has declared that athletes who enter the “rebel” R360 competition will be prohibited for a decade.

R360, scheduled to begin in 2026, is seeking to lure players from union and league with substantial agreements and a condensed fixture list.

Top National Rugby League players have reportedly received offers by R360, which will include six or eight men's teams and four women's sides operating from large metropolitan areas around the world.

Samoa's the player, who is with his NRL club in the NRL, has stated he has had discussions with the breakaway league.

Papenhuyzen, Lomax, Payne Haas and Gray are also reported to be weighing up offers from the rebel league.

Several leading union countries, such as Australia, recently declared a restriction on R360 recruits participating in global fixtures.

“We've listened to our franchises and we've responded strongly,” stated Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V'Landys.

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

“They don't invest in development systems or the development of athletes. They only leverage the efforts of existing bodies, endangering athletes of economic hardship while profiting themselves.

“They are, in reality, counterfeiting a code.”

R360 is established by ex-England star Mike Tindall and funded by private investors.

Following the potential rugby union bans were declared last week, it said: “We seek to cooperate in partnership as a component of the worldwide fixture list.

“The competition is designed with customized calendars for both genders and R360 will allow all athletes for test matches, as specified in their deals.”

The breakaway group will request authorization for its plans from rugby union's governing body, union's regulatory group, at its official gathering in the coming year.