R360 Players Subject to 10-Season Exclusion from National Rugby League

Rugby league's governing body has announced that players who enter the “counterfeit” R360 league will be prohibited for 10 years.

The proposed competition, which plans to launch in October 2026, is seeking to lure players from union and league with lucrative deals and a reduced playing schedule.

Leading rugby league players have reportedly received offers by the breakaway group, which will include multiple men's clubs and four women's sides based in major cities worldwide.

Samoa's the rugby star, who plays for his NRL club in the league, has stated he has had negotiations involving R360.

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

Eight major rugby union countries, among them Australia, earlier declared a restriction on athletes signing with R360 participating in international matches.

“We have consulted our teams and we've taken firm action,” said Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V'Landys.

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

“They avoid funding in development systems or the growth of players. They simply exploit the efforts of existing bodies, jeopardizing careers of economic hardship while gaining personally.

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

R360 is co-founded by retired international Mike Tindall and backed by private investors.

After the potential union prohibitions were revealed last week, it commented: “We aim to collaborate collaboratively as a component of the international rugby schedule.

“The competition is structured with tailored timetables for male and female sides and the organization will release all players for international matches, as specified in their contracts.”

The new league will seek approval for its initiatives from rugby union's governing body, union's administrative organization, at its council meeting in 2026.