R360 League Recruits Face 10-Year Exclusion from NRL

The NRL's governing body has stated that players who join the “rebel” R360 competition will be prohibited for 10 years.

The new league, scheduled to begin in 2026, is aiming to attract athletes from both codes with lucrative deals and a condensed playing schedule.

Top NRL athletes have reportedly received offers by R360, which will involve six or eight men's teams and four women's sides located in key urban centers around the world.

Representing Samoa the player, who is with the Warriors in the competition, has confirmed he has had talks with the breakaway league.

Ryan Papenhuyzen, Zac Lomax, Payne Haas and Gray are also reported to be thinking about signing R360.

Eight major rugby union nations, including Australia, recently announced a ban on players joining R360 participating in international matches.

“We've listened to our teams and we've responded strongly,” said Australian Rugby League Commission head Peter V'Landys.

“Unfortunately, there will always be organizations that try to exploit our code for monetary profit.

“They don't invest in development systems or the advancement of talent. They merely capitalize on the hard work of others, jeopardizing careers of monetary damage while profiting themselves.

“Essentially, they are, counterfeiting a code.”

The organization is launched by ex-England star Mike Tindall and supported by independent financiers.

Subsequent to the possible union bans were revealed earlier, it said: “We want to work in partnership as a component of the global rugby calendar.

“The competition is structured with bespoke schedules for male and female sides and the organization will allow all athletes for test matches, as written into their deals.”

R360 will request authorization for its initiatives from the international authority, rugby union's administrative organization, at its board session in the coming year.