R360 Competition Athletes Face 10-Year Ban from Australia's Rugby League

The NRL's governing body has declared that players who enter the “breakaway” R360 competition will be barred for 10 years.

The proposed competition, which plans to launch in late 2026, is hoping to draw rugby union and rugby league players with lucrative deals and a slimmed-down fixture list.

Prominent NRL players have reportedly been approached by the new league, which will include six to eight men's teams and women's teams based in major cities worldwide.

Samoa's Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who plays for New Zealand Warriors in the NRL, has stated he has had negotiations involving R360.

Papenhuyzen, Lomax, Payne Haas and Gray are also believed to be thinking about signing the rebel league.

Several leading rugby union teams, such as Australia, recently announced a ban on players joining R360 playing international matches.

“We heard our franchises and we've acted decisively,” stated ARLC chief Peter V'Landys.

“Unfortunately, there will persistently exist organizations that seek to pirate our code for monetary profit.

“They don't invest in pathways or the growth of athletes. They simply exploit the hard work of existing bodies, putting players at risk of financial loss while gaining personally.

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

The organization is established by retired international Mike Tindall and funded by private investors.

After the possible rugby union bans were revealed earlier, it commented: “We seek to cooperate in partnership as part of the global rugby calendar.

“The series is designed with customized calendars for male and female sides and we will release all players for test matches, as written into their agreements.”

The breakaway group will request authorization for its initiatives from rugby union's governing body, union's governing body, at its council meeting next year.