R360 Athletes Subject to Decade-Long Exclusion from NRL

Australian rugby league's administration has stated that participants who sign with the “breakaway” R360 league will be prohibited for 10 years.

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

Leading National Rugby League stars have reportedly received offers by the new league, which will include six or eight men's sides and four women's teams located in large metropolitan areas around the world.

The Samoan the player, who plays for New Zealand Warriors in the NRL, has said he has had negotiations involving the breakaway league.

Ryan Papenhuyzen, Zac Lomax, Haas and Jye Gray are also reported to be weighing up offers from R360.

A group of union teams, among them Australia, recently announced a restriction on athletes signing with R360 playing global fixtures.

“We have consulted our clubs and we've taken firm action,” said the league's head Peter V'Landys.

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

“They don't invest in talent pipelines or the growth of talent. They only leverage the efforts of other organizations, jeopardizing careers of monetary damage while benefiting financially.

“They are, in reality, imitating the sport.”

The organization is co-founded by former England World Cup winner Tindall and backed by commercial backers.

Following the possible union sanctions were declared last week, it stated: “We seek to cooperate together as part of the international rugby schedule.

“The competition is designed with bespoke schedules for both genders and R360 will permit participants for international matches, as written into their contracts.”

R360 will request authorization for its plans from the international authority, the sport's governing body, at its council meeting in the coming year.