R360 Athletes Face Decade-Long Exclusion from NRL

Rugby league's administration has declared that athletes who sign with the “breakaway” R360 competition will be prohibited for a decade.

The proposed competition, scheduled to begin in 2026, is seeking to lure rugby union and rugby league players with hefty contracts and a slimmed-down game calendar.

Prominent NRL athletes have reportedly been approached by the breakaway group, which will feature six or eight men's teams and women's teams located in key urban centers globally.

Samoa's Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who represents the Warriors in the league, has confirmed he has had talks with R360.

Papenhuyzen, Zac Lomax, Payne Haas and Gray are also believed to be thinking about signing the new competition.

A group of rugby union countries, such as Australia, last week declared a ban on players joining R360 appearing in test matches.

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

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

“They don't invest in talent pipelines or the growth of talent. They simply exploit the dedication of existing bodies, jeopardizing careers of monetary damage while benefiting financially.

“They are, in reality, imitating the sport.”

The league is established by ex-England star Tindall and funded by independent financiers.

Following the possible rugby union sanctions were revealed earlier, it said: “We seek to cooperate in partnership as integrated into the international rugby schedule.

“The series is structured with bespoke schedules for male and female sides and we will release all players for global fixtures, as specified in their deals.”

R360 will request authorization for its proposals from rugby union's governing body, rugby union's governing body, at its official gathering in the coming year.