R360 Players Subject to 10-Season Ban from National Rugby League

Rugby league's administration has announced that participants who sign with the “breakaway” R360 will be barred for 10 seasons.

The new league, set to start in 2026, is hoping to draw athletes from both codes with hefty contracts and a condensed game calendar.

Top NRL stars have reportedly been approached by R360, which will feature multiple men's clubs and four women's teams operating from key urban centers worldwide.

The Samoan the rugby star, who represents the Warriors in the league, has stated he has had negotiations involving the new organization.

Papenhuyzen, Lomax, Payne Haas and Jye Gray are also reported to be thinking about signing the rebel league.

Several leading union nations, including Australia, recently announced a prohibition on athletes signing with R360 playing test matches.

“We heard our clubs and we've acted decisively,” stated the league's chairman Peter V'Landys.

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

“They fail to contribute in talent pipelines or the growth of talent. They only leverage the efforts of other organizations, putting players at risk of economic hardship while benefiting financially.

“They are, in reality, copying the game.”

The organization is co-founded by retired international Tindall and backed by independent financiers.

Following the prospective rugby union sanctions were declared earlier, it commented: “We want to work together as part of the worldwide fixture list.

“The event is arranged with tailored timetables for men's and women's teams and R360 will release all players for international matches, as included in their agreements.”

R360 will apply for endorsement for its plans from World Rugby, rugby union's governing body, at its official gathering in the coming year.