R360 League Athletes Subject to 10-Season Exclusion from Australia's Rugby League

Australian rugby league's authority has announced that athletes who sign with the “counterfeit” R360 league will be banned for a decade.

R360, which plans to launch in late 2026, is aiming to attract athletes from both codes with substantial agreements and a slimmed-down game calendar.

Prominent National Rugby League athletes have allegedly been contacted by the new league, which will involve six to eight men's teams and four women's sides operating from major cities around the world.

Representing Samoa the player, who plays for New Zealand Warriors in the NRL, has stated he has had negotiations involving the breakaway league.

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

Several leading union countries, among them Australia, recently imposed a ban on players joining R360 appearing in global fixtures.

“We've listened to our teams and we've responded strongly,” said ARLC chief Peter V'Landys.

“Unfortunately, there will persistently exist organizations that try to exploit our game for economic benefit.

“They don't invest in development systems or the advancement of talent. They simply exploit the dedication of other organizations, jeopardizing careers of financial loss while gaining personally.

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

The organization is launched by ex-England star Tindall and funded by commercial backers.

Subsequent to the possible union prohibitions were announced earlier, it stated: “We aim to collaborate in partnership as part of the worldwide fixture list.

“The series is arranged with bespoke schedules for male and female sides and the organization will permit participants for global fixtures, as written into their agreements.”

The breakaway group will seek approval for its proposals from the international authority, rugby union's administrative organization, at its official gathering in the coming year.