R360 Competition Players Subject to 10-Year Suspension from Australia's Rugby League

The NRL's governing body has announced that participants who sign with the “rebel” R360 competition will be prohibited for a decade.

The proposed competition, set to start in October 2026, is hoping to draw athletes from both codes with substantial agreements and a condensed game calendar.

Prominent rugby league athletes have reportedly received offers by the new league, which will involve multiple men's sides and four women's sides located in major cities worldwide.

Representing Samoa the rugby star, who represents the Warriors in the competition, has confirmed he has had negotiations involving the breakaway league.

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

Several leading rugby union nations, such as Australia, earlier declared a prohibition on athletes signing with R360 participating in international matches.

“We've listened to our clubs and we've taken firm action,” commented Australian Rugby League Commission head Peter V'Landys.

“Unfortunately, there will always be entities that try to exploit our sport for potential financial gain.

“They don't invest in pathways or the growth of players. They only leverage the efforts of existing bodies, jeopardizing careers of financial loss while benefiting financially.

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

R360 is established by ex-England star Mike Tindall and funded by commercial backers.

After the possible union sanctions were revealed recently, it commented: “We want to work collaboratively as integrated into the worldwide fixture list.

“The series is designed with tailored timetables for men's and women's teams and we will release all players for global fixtures, as included in their agreements.”

The new league will request authorization for its plans from rugby union's governing body, the sport's governing body, at its official gathering in the coming year.