R360 Competition Players Face Decade-Long Exclusion from National Rugby League

Australian rugby league's administration has declared that athletes who join the “rebel” R360 will be banned for 10 years.

R360, set to start in October 2026, is seeking to lure athletes from both codes with hefty contracts and a slimmed-down playing schedule.

Prominent rugby league stars have allegedly been contacted by the breakaway group, which will include six to eight men's teams and four women's teams based in major cities worldwide.

The Samoan Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who plays for New Zealand Warriors in the NRL, has said he has had negotiations involving R360.

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

Eight major rugby union countries, such as Australia, last week declared a prohibition on athletes signing with R360 appearing in international matches.

“We have consulted our franchises and we've taken firm action,” commented ARLC chief the official.

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

“They avoid funding in development systems or the advancement of athletes. They only leverage the hard work of existing bodies, jeopardizing careers of economic hardship while benefiting financially.

“They are, in reality, counterfeiting a code.”

The league is established by ex-England star Mike Tindall and supported by commercial backers.

Subsequent to the prospective union prohibitions were revealed last week, it said: “We seek to cooperate together as part of the worldwide fixture list.

“The competition is designed with bespoke schedules for both genders and R360 will allow all athletes for international matches, as written into their agreements.”

R360 will seek approval for its initiatives from the international authority, the sport's administrative organization, at its board session next year.