R360 Competition Players Hit With 10-Season Exclusion from NRL

Australian rugby league's administration has declared that athletes who enter the “rebel” R360 competition will be prohibited for 10 seasons.

R360, which plans to launch in October 2026, is aiming to attract rugby union and rugby league players with hefty contracts and a reduced fixture list.

Leading National Rugby League players have reportedly received offers by the new league, which will involve six to eight men's clubs and four women's teams operating from major cities globally.

Samoa's Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who is with the Warriors in the competition, has said he has had discussions with the new organization.

Papenhuyzen, Zac Lomax, Haas and Jye Gray are also said to be thinking about signing the new competition.

Eight major union teams, including Australia, last week imposed a prohibition on R360 recruits appearing in test matches.

“We heard our clubs and we've acted decisively,” commented the league's chairman V'Landys.

“Unfortunately, there will persistently exist groups that try to exploit our code for economic benefit.

“They avoid funding in talent pipelines or the advancement of players. They simply exploit the dedication of others, endangering athletes of economic hardship while benefiting financially.

“Essentially, they are, copying the game.”

R360 is established by ex-England star Mike Tindall and supported by independent financiers.

Subsequent to the prospective rugby union prohibitions were announced earlier, it commented: “We seek to cooperate together as part of the worldwide fixture list.

“The event is designed with customized calendars for men's and women's teams and we will permit participants for international matches, as specified in their deals.”

The breakaway group will seek approval for its initiatives from the international authority, union's regulatory group, at its board session next year.