R360 League Athletes Subject to 10-Year Suspension from National Rugby League

Rugby league's governing body has announced that participants who enter the “breakaway” R360 competition will be banned for 10 seasons.

The proposed competition, set to start in late 2026, is aiming to attract athletes from both codes with substantial agreements and a condensed fixture list.

Top NRL players have reportedly been approached by the new league, which will feature six to eight men's sides and four women's sides operating from major cities worldwide.

Samoa's the rugby star, who plays for New Zealand Warriors in the league, has confirmed he has had negotiations involving the new organization.

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

Eight major union nations, among them Australia, earlier imposed a restriction on R360 recruits participating in global fixtures.

“We heard our franchises and we've responded strongly,” stated the league's chairman V'Landys.

“Regrettably, there will continually be groups that seek to pirate our sport for monetary profit.

“They avoid funding in talent pipelines or the advancement of athletes. They only leverage the efforts of others, jeopardizing careers of financial loss while benefiting financially.

“They are, in reality, copying the game.”

The organization is co-founded by retired international Tindall and backed by independent financiers.

After the possible rugby union prohibitions were revealed recently, it stated: “We aim to collaborate in partnership as a component of the global rugby calendar.

“The series is structured with customized calendars for both genders and we will release all players for global fixtures, as included in their agreements.”

R360 will seek approval for its proposals from the international authority, union's regulatory group, at its official gathering next year.