R360 Athletes Subject to 10-Year Exclusion from National Rugby League

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

The proposed competition, scheduled to begin in October 2026, is hoping to draw players from union and league with substantial agreements and a slimmed-down game calendar.

Top rugby league stars have reportedly received offers by R360, which will include six or eight men's teams and four women's sides operating from large metropolitan areas globally.

Samoa's Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who represents the Warriors in the competition, has confirmed he has had negotiations involving the breakaway league.

Ryan Papenhuyzen, Zac Lomax, Payne Haas and Jye Gray are also believed to be thinking about signing R360.

Eight major rugby union nations, such as Australia, earlier declared a restriction on players joining R360 playing international matches.

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

“Unfortunately, there will always be organizations that seek to pirate our code for economic benefit.

“They avoid funding in development systems or the advancement of players. They simply exploit the dedication of other organizations, jeopardizing careers of monetary damage while profiting themselves.

“Essentially, they are, imitating the sport.”

The league is launched by ex-England star Tindall and funded by private investors.

Subsequent to the prospective rugby union prohibitions were announced last week, it stated: “We seek to cooperate together as integrated into the international rugby schedule.

“The series is structured with tailored timetables for male and female sides and we will permit participants for international matches, as specified in their contracts.”

R360 will request authorization for its initiatives from World Rugby, union's governing body, at its official gathering next year.