R360 League Players Face 10-Year Suspension from Australia's Rugby League

Australian rugby league's administration has declared that athletes who enter the “breakaway” R360 competition will be prohibited for 10 seasons.

R360, which plans to launch in late 2026, is seeking to lure players from union and league with lucrative deals and a reduced fixture list.

Prominent National Rugby League players have allegedly been contacted by the new league, which will feature six or eight men's clubs and four women's sides based in key urban centers around the world.

Representing Samoa the player, who represents New Zealand Warriors in the NRL, has stated he has had discussions with R360.

Papenhuyzen, Lomax, Payne Haas and Jye Gray are also said to be thinking about signing R360.

A group of rugby union countries, including Australia, last week announced a ban on athletes signing with R360 playing test matches.

“We've listened to our teams and we've responded strongly,” stated the league's chairman Peter V'Landys.

“Unfortunately, there will always be entities that attempt to hijack our game for economic benefit.

“They fail to contribute in development systems or the advancement of players. They simply exploit the hard work of existing bodies, putting players at risk of economic hardship while profiting themselves.

“They are, in reality, copying the game.”

The league is established by ex-England star Tindall and supported by independent financiers.

After the possible rugby union bans were announced earlier, it said: “We seek to cooperate collaboratively as integrated into the worldwide fixture list.

“The competition is arranged with tailored timetables for male and female sides and the organization will allow all athletes for global fixtures, as included in their contracts.”

R360 will apply for endorsement for its initiatives from World Rugby, the sport's governing body, at its official gathering next year.