R360 Competition Players Hit With 10-Year Exclusion from Australia's Rugby League

Rugby league's authority has announced that athletes who sign with the “breakaway” R360 league will be prohibited for 10 seasons.

The proposed competition, set to start in October 2026, is seeking to lure athletes from both codes with hefty contracts and a condensed fixture list.

Leading National Rugby League stars have allegedly been contacted by R360, which will involve multiple men's teams and four women's sides located in major cities around the world.

Samoa's Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who represents his NRL club in the league, has stated he has had negotiations involving R360.

Papenhuyzen, Lomax, Payne Haas and Jye Gray are also believed to be considering joining the new competition.

A group of union countries, among them Australia, recently announced a prohibition on R360 recruits playing international matches.

“We've listened to our franchises and we've acted decisively,” said ARLC chairman V'Landys.

“Regrettably, there will continually be entities that seek to pirate our sport for economic benefit.

“They avoid funding in development systems or the growth of athletes. They simply exploit the hard work of existing bodies, putting players at risk of monetary damage while profiting themselves.

“Essentially, they are, imitating the sport.”

R360 is established by ex-England star Tindall and supported by commercial backers.

Subsequent to the potential rugby union bans were announced earlier, it stated: “We aim to collaborate together as integrated into the global rugby calendar.

“The series is designed with tailored timetables for both genders and R360 will permit participants for test matches, as specified in their deals.”

The breakaway group will request authorization for its initiatives from rugby union's governing body, union's governing body, at its council meeting next year.