R360 League Players Hit With 10-Year Exclusion from National Rugby League

Australian rugby league's authority has declared that athletes who join the “counterfeit” R360 will be barred for 10 years.

The new league, which plans to launch in October 2026, is aiming to attract rugby union and rugby league players with lucrative deals and a condensed game calendar.

Top National Rugby League stars have reportedly received offers by R360, which will involve multiple men's teams and four women's sides based in large metropolitan areas around the world.

Representing Samoa Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who plays for New Zealand Warriors in the NRL, has said he has had discussions with the breakaway league.

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

A group of rugby union nations, including Australia, recently announced a restriction on players joining R360 appearing in test matches.

“We heard our franchises and we've responded strongly,” said the league's chairman Peter V'Landys.

“Regrettably, there will always be organizations that seek to pirate our sport for monetary profit.

“They avoid funding in development systems or the advancement of athletes. They merely capitalize on the efforts of existing bodies, endangering athletes of financial loss while profiting themselves.

“In truth, they represent, counterfeiting a code.”

The organization is launched by retired international Mike Tindall and supported by independent financiers.

Following the potential union sanctions were revealed earlier, it said: “We seek to cooperate together as a component of the worldwide fixture list.

“The event is designed with customized calendars for both genders and R360 will allow all athletes for international matches, as written into their agreements.”

The breakaway group will seek approval for its proposals from the international authority, union's regulatory group, at its council meeting in 2026.