R360 Players Hit With Decade-Long Exclusion from NRL

Australian rugby league's administration has stated that players who sign with the “rebel” R360 league will be banned for a decade.

The new league, which plans to launch in 2026, is hoping to draw rugby union and rugby league players with hefty contracts and a slimmed-down fixture list.

Prominent National Rugby League athletes have allegedly been contacted by the new league, which will feature six or eight men's teams and women's teams operating from key urban centers around the world.

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

Papenhuyzen, Zac Lomax, Payne Haas and Jye Gray are also reported to be weighing up offers from the new competition.

Several leading rugby union countries, including Australia, recently announced a prohibition on R360 recruits participating in test matches.

“We have consulted our teams and we've responded strongly,” said the league's chief V'Landys.

“Unfortunately, there will always be groups that attempt to hijack our game for economic benefit.

“They don't invest in pathways or the growth of talent. They simply exploit the dedication of other organizations, endangering athletes of financial loss while gaining personally.

“Essentially, they are, copying the game.”

R360 is launched by retired international Mike Tindall and supported by independent financiers.

After the possible union sanctions were declared recently, it stated: “We seek to cooperate in partnership as a component of the worldwide fixture list.

“The event is structured with tailored timetables for both genders and we will release all players for global fixtures, as included in their agreements.”

The breakaway group will request authorization for its plans from rugby union's governing body, rugby union's regulatory group, at its board session next year.