R360 Competition Players Subject to 10-Year Exclusion from NRL

Australian rugby league's administration has announced that athletes who join the “counterfeit” R360 competition will be banned for 10 years.

The new league, set to start in 2026, is seeking to lure athletes from both codes with lucrative deals and a condensed playing schedule.

Leading National Rugby League stars have reportedly received offers by the breakaway group, which will include multiple men's sides and four women's teams based in large metropolitan areas around the world.

The Samoan the rugby star, who is with New Zealand Warriors in the competition, has said he has had discussions with the breakaway league.

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

Eight major rugby union countries, such as Australia, earlier announced a ban on players joining R360 playing international matches.

“We have consulted our teams and we've taken firm action,” said the league's chief V'Landys.

“Unfortunately, there will continually be entities that seek to pirate our code for potential financial gain.

“They fail to contribute in development systems or the growth of players. They merely capitalize on the hard work of existing bodies, endangering athletes of financial loss while benefiting financially.

“Essentially, they are, copying the game.”

The league is established by retired international Tindall and funded by independent financiers.

After the prospective union bans were revealed earlier, it stated: “We seek to cooperate together as part of the global rugby calendar.

“The competition is arranged with bespoke schedules for both genders and R360 will allow all athletes for global fixtures, as specified in their deals.”

R360 will apply for endorsement for its proposals from World Rugby, the sport's regulatory group, at its official gathering next year.