R360 Competition Players Hit With Decade-Long Suspension from National Rugby League

The NRL's authority has stated that players who join the “breakaway” R360 will be prohibited for 10 years.

R360, scheduled to begin in late 2026, is aiming to attract players from union and league with substantial agreements and a condensed fixture list.

Top rugby league players have allegedly been contacted by the new league, which will feature six or eight men's teams and women's teams located in major cities around the world.

Representing Samoa the player, who plays for the Warriors in the league, has confirmed he has had discussions with the new organization.

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

Several leading rugby union teams, including Australia, earlier declared a restriction on R360 recruits participating in international matches.

“We have consulted our clubs and we've taken firm action,” commented ARLC head V'Landys.

“Sadly, there will persistently exist entities that try to exploit our code for monetary profit.

“They avoid funding in development systems or the development of players. They only leverage the efforts of others, endangering athletes of financial loss while gaining personally.

“Essentially, they are, copying the game.”

The league is co-founded by former England World Cup winner Mike Tindall and backed by independent financiers.

After the possible rugby union sanctions were revealed recently, it said: “We seek to cooperate together as part of the worldwide fixture list.

“The competition is arranged with bespoke schedules for both genders and the organization will permit participants for global fixtures, as written into their contracts.”

R360 will request authorization for its proposals from rugby union's governing body, union's governing body, at its council meeting in the coming year.