R360 Recruits Hit With Decade-Long Ban from National Rugby League

Australian rugby league's authority has announced that athletes who sign with the “counterfeit” R360 will be prohibited for a decade.

The proposed competition, set to start in late 2026, is aiming to attract rugby union and rugby league players with lucrative deals and a slimmed-down fixture list.

Top NRL athletes have reportedly been approached by R360, which will involve six or eight men's teams and four women's teams located in large metropolitan areas globally.

Samoa's Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who represents New Zealand Warriors in the NRL, has said he has had negotiations involving the breakaway league.

Papenhuyzen, Zac Lomax, Payne Haas and Gray are also reported to be weighing up offers from R360.

A group of union teams, such as Australia, last week announced a ban on R360 recruits playing test matches.

“We have consulted our franchises and we've responded strongly,” commented the league's chairman V'Landys.

“Sadly, there will persistently exist organizations that seek to pirate our game for potential financial gain.

“They avoid funding in pathways or the advancement of athletes. They merely capitalize on the efforts of existing bodies, putting players at risk of monetary damage while gaining personally.

“In truth, they represent, imitating the sport.”

The league is launched by ex-England star Tindall and supported by independent financiers.

Subsequent to the potential rugby union sanctions were declared earlier, it said: “We want to work together as a component of the worldwide fixture list.

“The series is arranged with tailored timetables for male and female sides and we will allow all athletes for international matches, as written into their deals.”

R360 will seek approval for its proposals from World Rugby, rugby union's governing body, at its council meeting next year.