R360 Athletes Face 10-Season Ban from National Rugby League

Rugby league's governing body has announced that athletes who sign with the “counterfeit” R360 league will be barred for 10 seasons.

The new league, scheduled to begin in 2026, is seeking to lure athletes from both codes with hefty contracts and a slimmed-down fixture list.

Top National Rugby League stars have allegedly been contacted by R360, which will include six or eight men's clubs and four women's teams based in large metropolitan areas around the world.

The Samoan the rugby star, who represents the Warriors in the NRL, has said he has had discussions with the breakaway league.

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

Several leading rugby union teams, such as Australia, earlier declared a restriction on players joining R360 appearing in test matches.

“We've listened to our teams and we've taken firm action,” commented Australian Rugby League Commission head the official.

“Regrettably, there will persistently exist organizations that attempt to hijack our game for monetary profit.

“They fail to contribute in talent pipelines or the growth of talent. They simply exploit the hard work of other organizations, jeopardizing careers of financial loss while profiting themselves.

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

The organization is established by ex-England star Tindall and backed by private investors.

Subsequent to the possible rugby union prohibitions were announced recently, it stated: “We aim to collaborate together as part of the global rugby calendar.

“The competition is designed with customized calendars for male and female sides and the organization will permit participants for global fixtures, as included in their contracts.”

R360 will apply for endorsement for its plans from World Rugby, rugby union's governing body, at its council meeting next year.