R360 Competition Players Hit With Decade-Long Suspension from NRL

Rugby league's administration has declared that players who join the “breakaway” R360 will be banned for a decade.

The proposed competition, scheduled to begin in late 2026, is hoping to draw athletes from both codes with substantial agreements and a slimmed-down playing schedule.

Leading NRL players have allegedly been contacted by R360, which will feature six or eight men's clubs and four women's teams based in major cities worldwide.

Samoa's the player, who plays for the Warriors in the league, has said he has had negotiations involving R360.

Papenhuyzen, Lomax, Haas and Gray are also reported to be thinking about signing R360.

Several leading union teams, including Australia, last week imposed a prohibition on athletes signing with R360 appearing in test matches.

“We've listened to our franchises and we've taken firm action,” stated the league's head the official.

“Regrettably, there will always be groups that seek to pirate our code for potential financial gain.

“They avoid funding in development systems or the development of athletes. They only leverage the dedication of others, endangering athletes of financial loss while gaining personally.

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

The league is established by ex-England star Tindall and funded by commercial backers.

Subsequent to the possible rugby union bans were revealed earlier, it commented: “We want to work collaboratively as a component of the international rugby schedule.

“The series is arranged with bespoke schedules for men's and women's teams and R360 will permit participants for test matches, as included in their agreements.”

The breakaway group will request authorization for its proposals from the international authority, the sport's regulatory group, at its board session in 2026.