R360 Athletes Subject to 10-Season Ban from Australia's Rugby League

The NRL's governing body has declared that players who join the “breakaway” R360 competition will be prohibited for a decade.

R360, which plans to launch in 2026, is aiming to attract rugby union and rugby league players with hefty contracts and a slimmed-down playing schedule.

Leading National Rugby League stars have allegedly been contacted by R360, which will feature six or eight men's teams and four women's teams based in key urban centers globally.

The Samoan the rugby star, who plays for the Warriors in the NRL, has confirmed he has had negotiations involving the breakaway league.

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

Eight major rugby union nations, such as Australia, recently announced a ban on athletes signing with R360 playing international matches.

“We have consulted our teams and we've acted decisively,” commented Australian Rugby League Commission head Peter V'Landys.

“Regrettably, there will persistently exist organizations that try to exploit our game for monetary profit.

“They fail to contribute in pathways or the growth of players. They simply exploit the efforts of existing bodies, endangering athletes of financial loss while benefiting financially.

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

The organization is established by retired international Mike Tindall and supported by commercial backers.

Following the potential union bans were announced recently, it stated: “We want to work in partnership as integrated into the global rugby calendar.

“The competition is arranged with customized calendars for men's and women's teams and we will permit participants for global fixtures, as specified in their contracts.”

R360 will request authorization for its plans from World Rugby, union's regulatory group, at its council meeting in the coming year.