R360 Competition Recruits Face 10-Season Exclusion from NRL

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

R360, which plans to launch in 2026, is hoping to draw rugby union and rugby league players with lucrative deals and a condensed playing schedule.

Leading rugby league athletes have reportedly been approached by the new league, which will involve six or eight men's teams and women's teams located in large metropolitan areas worldwide.

Samoa's Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who is with the Warriors in the league, has said he has had talks with the breakaway league.

Papenhuyzen, Lomax, Haas and Jye Gray are also believed to be thinking about signing the rebel league.

Eight major rugby union countries, among them Australia, earlier announced a ban on athletes signing with R360 participating in global fixtures.

“We have consulted our teams and we've responded strongly,” commented Australian Rugby League Commission chief Peter V'Landys.

“Regrettably, there will always be organizations that attempt to hijack our code for economic benefit.

“They avoid funding in pathways or the growth of athletes. They merely capitalize on the hard work of others, putting players at risk of financial loss while profiting themselves.

“In truth, they represent, copying the game.”

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

Following the potential union bans were announced earlier, it said: “We aim to collaborate collaboratively as part of the global rugby calendar.

“The series is arranged with bespoke schedules for men's and women's teams and the organization will release all players for test matches, as written into their deals.”

The new league will request authorization for its plans from rugby union's governing body, union's governing body, at its council meeting next year.