R360 Athletes Subject to Decade-Long Exclusion from National Rugby League

Australian rugby league's administration has declared that players who enter the “rebel” R360 competition will be prohibited for 10 seasons.

The new league, which plans to launch in October 2026, is seeking to lure players from union and league with hefty contracts and a condensed fixture list.

Leading rugby league stars have reportedly been approached by R360, which will include six or eight men's sides and four women's teams operating from major cities around the world.

Samoa's the player, who is with New Zealand Warriors in the league, has confirmed he has had discussions with R360.

Ryan Papenhuyzen, Lomax, Payne Haas and Jye Gray are also said to be considering joining R360.

Eight major union teams, among them Australia, last week announced a ban on players joining R360 appearing in international matches.

“We have consulted our clubs and we've responded strongly,” commented Australian Rugby League Commission chairman V'Landys.

“Unfortunately, there will always be entities that attempt to hijack our sport for monetary profit.

“They avoid funding in talent pipelines or the development of players. They only leverage the hard work of existing bodies, putting players at risk of financial loss while benefiting financially.

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

The league is launched by former England World Cup winner Mike Tindall and funded by commercial backers.

Subsequent to the potential rugby union bans were declared earlier, it said: “We want to work collaboratively as integrated into the worldwide fixture list.

“The competition is arranged with customized calendars for male and female sides and we will release all players for global fixtures, as specified in their agreements.”

R360 will seek approval for its plans from World Rugby, the sport's governing body, at its official gathering next year.