R360 League Athletes Subject to Decade-Long Ban from NRL

The NRL's authority has declared that players who join the “counterfeit” R360 will be prohibited for 10 years.

R360, scheduled to begin in late 2026, is seeking to lure players from union and league with substantial agreements and a slimmed-down game calendar.

Prominent rugby league athletes have reportedly received offers by the breakaway group, which will include six to eight men's clubs and four women's teams operating from key urban centers globally.

The Samoan Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who is with New Zealand Warriors in the NRL, has stated he has had discussions with the new organization.

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

Eight major union teams, among them Australia, earlier imposed a prohibition on players joining R360 playing global fixtures.

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

“Sadly, there will persistently exist entities that seek to pirate our game for potential financial gain.

“They avoid funding in pathways or the advancement of players. They simply exploit the dedication of existing bodies, putting players at risk of monetary damage while gaining personally.

“In truth, they represent, copying the game.”

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

Subsequent to the potential rugby union prohibitions were announced recently, it said: “We want to work in partnership as a component of the global rugby calendar.

“The event is structured with bespoke schedules for men's and women's teams and we will release all players for global fixtures, as written into their agreements.”

The new league will request authorization for its initiatives from rugby union's governing body, the sport's administrative organization, at its council meeting in the coming year.