R360 Players Hit With 10-Year Exclusion from NRL

Australian rugby league's governing body has declared that athletes who enter the “breakaway” R360 will be banned for a decade.

The proposed competition, 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 rugby league athletes have reportedly received offers by the breakaway group, which will involve multiple men's sides and four women's sides located in key urban centers globally.

Samoa's the player, who plays for his NRL club in the league, has confirmed he has had talks with the breakaway league.

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

A group of union countries, such as Australia, earlier declared a prohibition on athletes signing with R360 participating in international matches.

“We've listened to our teams and we've responded strongly,” commented ARLC chairman the official.

“Sadly, there will persistently exist organizations that seek to pirate our code for potential financial gain.

“They don't invest in development systems or the development of players. They merely capitalize on the dedication of existing bodies, putting players at risk of financial loss while profiting themselves.

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

R360 is established by former England World Cup winner Tindall and funded by commercial backers.

After the potential union prohibitions were announced last week, it stated: “We want to work collaboratively as a component of the global rugby calendar.

“The event is designed with bespoke schedules for male and female sides and we will permit participants for global fixtures, as included in their contracts.”

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