R360 Competition Athletes Subject to 10-Year Ban from National Rugby League

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

The proposed competition, scheduled to begin in October 2026, is hoping to draw athletes from both codes with lucrative deals and a condensed playing schedule.

Prominent rugby league athletes have allegedly been contacted by the breakaway group, which will include six to eight men's teams and four women's sides located in key urban centers worldwide.

Samoa's the player, who plays for his NRL club in the NRL, has stated he has had talks with the breakaway league.

Papenhuyzen, Zac Lomax, Haas and Gray are also believed to be thinking about signing the new competition.

Several leading union nations, among them Australia, earlier imposed a restriction on R360 recruits appearing in test matches.

“We've listened to our teams and we've taken firm action,” stated the league's head the official.

“Sadly, there will always be organizations that seek to pirate our sport for monetary profit.

“They fail to contribute in talent pipelines or the growth of players. They simply exploit the efforts of existing bodies, jeopardizing careers of economic hardship while benefiting financially.

“Essentially, they are, counterfeiting a code.”

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

After the potential rugby union bans were announced last week, it said: “We seek to cooperate collaboratively as integrated into the global rugby calendar.

“The competition is arranged with bespoke schedules for both genders and the organization will allow all athletes for global fixtures, as written into their agreements.”

The new league will request authorization for its proposals from the international authority, union's administrative organization, at its official gathering in 2026.