R360 League Players Hit With 10-Season Ban from NRL

Australian rugby league's governing body has announced that players who join the “breakaway” R360 competition will be banned for 10 seasons.

The proposed competition, which plans to launch in late 2026, is hoping to draw rugby union and rugby league players with lucrative deals and a reduced playing schedule.

Top National Rugby League stars have allegedly been contacted by the new league, which will involve six or eight men's teams and four women's teams located in key urban centers globally.

Samoa's the rugby star, who is with New Zealand Warriors in the NRL, has said he has had negotiations involving R360.

Ryan Papenhuyzen, Zac Lomax, Haas and Gray are also reported to be thinking about signing R360.

Eight major union countries, such as Australia, recently declared a prohibition on athletes signing with R360 participating in global fixtures.

“We have consulted our franchises and we've taken firm action,” stated ARLC head V'Landys.

“Unfortunately, there will always be groups that seek to pirate our game for potential financial gain.

“They avoid funding in pathways or the growth of players. They merely capitalize on the efforts of existing bodies, jeopardizing careers of economic hardship while gaining personally.

“Essentially, they are, copying the game.”

The league is launched by former England World Cup winner Tindall and funded by private investors.

After the potential rugby union sanctions were declared recently, it commented: “We aim to collaborate together as a component of the international rugby schedule.

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

The breakaway group will request authorization for its initiatives from World Rugby, the sport's administrative organization, at its official gathering in the coming year.