R360 League Athletes Subject to Decade-Long Exclusion from National Rugby League

Australian rugby league's governing body has stated that athletes who enter the “rebel” R360 will be barred for 10 years.

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

Top rugby league athletes have reportedly received offers by the breakaway group, which will involve multiple men's teams and four women's teams located in key urban centers globally.

Representing Samoa the player, who is with his NRL club in the NRL, has stated he has had negotiations involving the new organization.

Ryan Papenhuyzen, Lomax, Haas and Jye Gray are also reported to be considering joining R360.

Eight major union teams, including Australia, last week declared a ban on players joining R360 appearing in test matches.

“We have consulted our clubs and we've taken firm action,” said Australian Rugby League Commission chairman V'Landys.

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

“They avoid funding in talent pipelines or the development of talent. They simply exploit the efforts of other organizations, endangering athletes of economic hardship while benefiting financially.

“Essentially, they are, counterfeiting a code.”

The league is co-founded by retired international Mike Tindall and supported by commercial backers.

Following the prospective union sanctions were declared earlier, it stated: “We aim to collaborate together as integrated into the global rugby calendar.

“The event is structured with tailored timetables for both genders and the organization will permit participants for test matches, as included in their deals.”

The breakaway group will seek approval for its proposals from World Rugby, union's regulatory group, at its board session in the coming year.