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

Rugby league's governing body has declared that participants who sign with the “breakaway” R360 will be barred for a decade.

The proposed competition, scheduled to begin in 2026, is aiming to attract athletes from both codes with hefty contracts and a condensed game calendar.

Prominent NRL players have reportedly been approached by the breakaway group, which will feature six or eight men's teams and four women's sides based in key urban centers around the world.

The Samoan the rugby star, who is with New Zealand Warriors in the NRL, has said he has had discussions with R360.

Ryan Papenhuyzen, Zac Lomax, Payne Haas and Jye Gray are also believed to be weighing up offers from the new competition.

Several leading union countries, including Australia, earlier declared a prohibition on R360 recruits participating in global fixtures.

“We have consulted our franchises and we've acted decisively,” commented the league's head V'Landys.

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

“They fail to contribute in pathways or the development of athletes. They only leverage the hard work of other organizations, putting players at risk of monetary damage while benefiting financially.

“Essentially, they are, counterfeiting a code.”

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

After the possible rugby union bans were revealed earlier, it commented: “We aim to collaborate together as integrated into the global rugby calendar.

“The competition is structured with customized calendars for both genders and R360 will allow all athletes for test matches, as written into their contracts.”

The new league will request authorization for its proposals from the international authority, the sport's administrative organization, at its council meeting next year.