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

Australian rugby league's administration has stated that participants who sign with the “rebel” R360 competition will be prohibited for 10 years.

The proposed competition, which plans to launch in October 2026, is hoping to draw rugby union and rugby league players with substantial agreements and a condensed playing schedule.

Prominent NRL athletes have reportedly received offers by the new league, which will involve six or eight men's sides and four women's teams operating from large metropolitan areas worldwide.

The Samoan Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who is with New Zealand Warriors in the NRL, has confirmed he has had negotiations involving the breakaway league.

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

A group of union teams, among them Australia, earlier announced a prohibition on athletes signing with R360 playing global fixtures.

“We heard our clubs and we've acted decisively,” stated Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V'Landys.

“Sadly, there will continually be groups that attempt to hijack our code for monetary profit.

“They fail to contribute in talent pipelines or the advancement of athletes. They merely capitalize on the dedication of existing bodies, jeopardizing careers of financial loss while gaining personally.

“In truth, they represent, copying the game.”

The league is co-founded by retired international Mike Tindall and funded by private investors.

Following the possible rugby union bans were declared last week, it commented: “We seek to cooperate together as part of the global rugby calendar.

“The event is arranged with bespoke schedules for men's and women's teams and R360 will permit participants for international matches, as included in their agreements.”

The new league will seek approval for its initiatives from rugby union's governing body, rugby union's governing body, at its board session in the coming year.