R360 Competition Recruits Subject to Decade-Long Suspension from NRL

Australian rugby league's authority has announced that athletes who sign with the “rebel” R360 competition will be barred for 10 years.

The new league, scheduled to begin in 2026, is seeking to lure rugby union and rugby league players with lucrative deals and a condensed game calendar.

Top NRL players have allegedly been contacted by the breakaway group, which will include multiple men's sides and four women's teams located in large metropolitan areas globally.

The Samoan Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who represents the Warriors in the competition, has confirmed he has had discussions with R360.

Papenhuyzen, Zac Lomax, Payne Haas and Gray are also said to be considering joining the rebel league.

Several leading union teams, including Australia, earlier declared a ban on R360 recruits appearing in global fixtures.

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

“Unfortunately, there will continually be groups that seek to pirate our game for economic benefit.

“They avoid funding in development systems or the advancement of talent. They only leverage the efforts of others, putting players at risk of financial loss while gaining personally.

“They are, in reality, counterfeiting a code.”

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

Subsequent to the possible rugby union bans were declared recently, it stated: “We want to work collaboratively as part of the global rugby calendar.

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

R360 will apply for endorsement for its initiatives from the international authority, rugby union's regulatory group, at its board session in 2026.