R360 Competition Athletes Hit With 10-Year Exclusion from NRL

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

The new league, scheduled to begin in 2026, is aiming to attract players from union and league with lucrative deals and a reduced game calendar.

Prominent NRL players have allegedly been contacted by R360, which will involve six or eight men's sides and four women's sides located in key urban centers globally.

The Samoan the player, who represents the Warriors in the league, has confirmed he has had talks with the breakaway league.

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

A group of union teams, among them Australia, earlier announced a prohibition on players joining R360 participating in international matches.

“We heard our franchises and we've acted decisively,” commented Australian Rugby League Commission head V'Landys.

“Unfortunately, there will persistently exist groups that attempt to hijack our sport for potential financial gain.

“They fail to contribute in pathways or the development of athletes. They merely capitalize on the dedication of other organizations, jeopardizing careers of financial loss while profiting themselves.

“In truth, they represent, counterfeiting a code.”

The league is established by retired international Tindall and backed by independent financiers.

Subsequent to the prospective rugby union bans were declared earlier, it said: “We aim to collaborate collaboratively as a component of the international rugby schedule.

“The competition is designed with bespoke schedules for male and female sides and we will release all players for test matches, as included in their agreements.”

The breakaway group will apply for endorsement for its plans from World Rugby, rugby union's governing body, at its board session next year.