R360 Competition Recruits Face 10-Year Ban from Australia's Rugby League

The NRL's authority has stated that participants who join the “breakaway” R360 will be barred for a decade.

The new league, which plans to launch in late 2026, is hoping to draw players from union and league with lucrative deals and a condensed game calendar.

Top NRL stars have reportedly been approached by the breakaway group, which will include six to eight men's sides and four women's teams based in large metropolitan areas globally.

Representing Samoa Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who represents New Zealand Warriors in the NRL, has confirmed he has had talks with the new organization.

Papenhuyzen, Zac Lomax, Payne Haas and Jye Gray are also believed to be considering joining R360.

Several leading rugby union countries, among them Australia, earlier declared a ban on athletes signing with R360 appearing in global fixtures.

“We heard our teams and we've taken firm action,” said the league's chairman V'Landys.

“Sadly, there will always be entities that try to exploit our code for economic benefit.

“They fail to contribute in development systems or the development of athletes. They merely capitalize on the hard work of other organizations, jeopardizing careers of economic hardship while gaining personally.

“Essentially, they are, counterfeiting a code.”

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

After the prospective union prohibitions were announced recently, it commented: “We want to work collaboratively as part of the international rugby schedule.

“The event is designed with customized calendars for both genders and we will release all players for global fixtures, as included in their deals.”

The breakaway group will apply for endorsement for its proposals from rugby union's governing body, rugby union's administrative organization, at its official gathering in the coming year.