R360 League Athletes Face 10-Season Ban from National Rugby League

Rugby league's governing body has announced that players who join the “counterfeit” R360 league will be prohibited for 10 years.

The proposed competition, set to start in October 2026, is seeking to lure players from union and league with substantial agreements and a condensed playing schedule.

Prominent rugby league stars have reportedly been approached by R360, which will involve six to eight men's teams and four women's sides operating from major cities globally.

The Samoan the player, who is with the Warriors in the NRL, has confirmed he has had negotiations involving the breakaway league.

Ryan Papenhuyzen, Lomax, Haas and Gray are also said to be considering joining the new competition.

Eight major union countries, such as Australia, earlier imposed a prohibition on athletes signing with R360 playing international matches.

“We've listened to our teams and we've acted decisively,” commented Australian Rugby League Commission chief the official.

“Sadly, there will persistently exist entities that attempt to hijack our code for monetary profit.

“They avoid funding in development systems or the advancement of players. They only leverage the hard work of other organizations, endangering athletes of financial loss while gaining personally.

“Essentially, they are, counterfeiting a code.”

R360 is established by former England World Cup winner Tindall and supported by independent financiers.

After the potential rugby union sanctions were announced earlier, it commented: “We seek to cooperate collaboratively as integrated into the international rugby schedule.

“The series is arranged with customized calendars for male and female sides and R360 will release all players for global fixtures, as included in their agreements.”

R360 will request authorization for its proposals from the international authority, union's regulatory group, at its official gathering in 2026.