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

Australian rugby league's administration has announced that players who enter the “rebel” R360 competition will be prohibited for 10 seasons.

The proposed competition, scheduled to begin in October 2026, is aiming to attract players from union and league with substantial agreements and a slimmed-down fixture list.

Leading National Rugby League athletes have reportedly been approached by the new league, which will include six or eight men's clubs and four women's teams based in large metropolitan areas around the world.

The Samoan the rugby star, who is with the Warriors in the NRL, has confirmed he has had discussions with the breakaway league.

Ryan Papenhuyzen, Lomax, Payne Haas and Jye Gray are also said to be weighing up offers from R360.

Several leading union teams, among them Australia, last week announced a prohibition on R360 recruits playing international matches.

“We have consulted our clubs and we've taken firm action,” said the league's chief V'Landys.

“Regrettably, there will always be groups that try to exploit our sport for monetary profit.

“They don't invest in talent pipelines or the advancement of players. They merely capitalize on the dedication of other organizations, jeopardizing careers of monetary damage while benefiting financially.

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

R360 is co-founded by former England World Cup winner Tindall and funded by commercial backers.

Following the prospective rugby union bans were declared earlier, it stated: “We seek to cooperate together as part of the international rugby schedule.

“The series is arranged with tailored timetables for male and female sides and we will release all players for international matches, as included in their deals.”

The breakaway group will request authorization for its initiatives from the international authority, the sport's administrative organization, at its council meeting in 2026.