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

Rugby league's authority has declared that athletes who enter the “rebel” R360 competition will be barred for a decade.

R360, scheduled to begin in 2026, is aiming to attract rugby union and rugby league players with lucrative deals and a slimmed-down game calendar.

Top National Rugby League players have reportedly received offers by the breakaway group, which will include six to eight men's clubs and four women's sides operating from large metropolitan areas globally.

Samoa's the rugby star, who is with the Warriors in the competition, has said he has had discussions with the breakaway league.

Ryan Papenhuyzen, Zac Lomax, Payne Haas and Jye Gray are also reported to be weighing up offers from the rebel league.

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

“We've listened to our teams and we've acted decisively,” stated ARLC chief V'Landys.

“Unfortunately, there will always be groups that attempt to hijack our code for economic benefit.

“They don't invest in pathways or the growth of players. They simply exploit the hard work of others, jeopardizing careers of economic hardship while gaining personally.

“They are, in reality, copying the game.”

The league is established by retired international Tindall and funded by private investors.

After the potential rugby union prohibitions were declared last week, it commented: “We want to work collaboratively as integrated into the international rugby schedule.

“The competition is designed with customized calendars for men's and women's teams and we will permit participants for test matches, as included in their contracts.”

R360 will request authorization for its proposals from World Rugby, the sport's administrative organization, at its official gathering in the coming year.