R360 Athletes Hit With 10-Year Ban from Australia's Rugby League

Rugby league's governing body has stated that players who join the “breakaway” R360 competition will be banned for 10 seasons.

The proposed competition, set to start in late 2026, is aiming to attract players from union and league with substantial agreements and a reduced fixture list.

Top NRL players have reportedly received offers by the breakaway group, which will feature multiple men's clubs and four women's teams operating from large metropolitan areas globally.

Samoa's Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who plays for New Zealand Warriors in the competition, has confirmed he has had negotiations involving R360.

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

Eight major rugby union countries, such as Australia, recently imposed a ban on R360 recruits playing global fixtures.

“We have consulted our teams and we've acted decisively,” stated ARLC head the official.

“Sadly, there will continually be entities that try to exploit our sport for monetary profit.

“They avoid funding in development systems or the advancement of talent. They merely capitalize on the hard work of existing bodies, endangering athletes of financial loss while gaining personally.

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

R360 is launched by retired international Mike Tindall and funded by private investors.

After the prospective rugby union sanctions were declared earlier, it commented: “We want to work in partnership as integrated into the global rugby calendar.

“The event is arranged with bespoke schedules for both genders and the organization will release all players for test matches, as written into their deals.”

R360 will apply for endorsement for its proposals from the international authority, rugby union's regulatory group, at its official gathering in the coming year.