R360 Competition Recruits Face 10-Year Ban from NRL

Rugby league's governing body has announced that athletes who enter the “breakaway” R360 competition will be prohibited for a decade.

R360, scheduled to begin in October 2026, is aiming to attract players from union and league with lucrative deals and a condensed playing schedule.

Prominent rugby league stars have allegedly been contacted by the new league, which will feature six to eight men's sides and women's teams operating from large metropolitan areas around the world.

The Samoan the rugby star, who is with New Zealand Warriors in the league, has said he has had discussions with R360.

Ryan Papenhuyzen, Lomax, Payne Haas and Jye Gray are also said to be thinking about signing R360.

Several leading rugby union nations, among them Australia, recently announced a prohibition on players joining R360 appearing in international matches.

“We heard our clubs and we've responded strongly,” said the league's head the official.

“Sadly, there will always be entities that try to exploit our game for potential financial gain.

“They avoid funding in development systems or the advancement of talent. They merely capitalize on the hard work of other organizations, endangering athletes of economic hardship while profiting themselves.

“Essentially, they are, counterfeiting a code.”

R360 is launched by former England World Cup winner Mike Tindall and backed by independent financiers.

After the potential union sanctions were announced last week, it said: “We want to work collaboratively as part of the global rugby calendar.

“The series is arranged with bespoke schedules for male and female sides and R360 will permit participants for international matches, as written into their deals.”

R360 will apply for endorsement for its initiatives from rugby union's governing body, the sport's governing body, at its board session in the coming year.