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

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

The proposed competition, scheduled to begin in October 2026, is aiming to attract rugby union and rugby league players with lucrative deals and a slimmed-down playing schedule.

Top rugby league players have reportedly received offers by the new league, which will feature six to eight men's teams and women's teams based in key urban centers globally.

Representing Samoa the rugby star, who represents New Zealand Warriors in the NRL, has said he has had discussions with the breakaway league.

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

Eight major union nations, including Australia, last week imposed a restriction on athletes signing with R360 playing international matches.

“We've listened to our franchises and we've taken firm action,” commented ARLC head V'Landys.

“Regrettably, there will continually be groups that try to exploit our game for monetary profit.

“They don't invest in pathways or the development of athletes. They only leverage the efforts of others, endangering athletes of economic hardship while profiting themselves.

“Essentially, they are, counterfeiting a code.”

The league is established by retired international Tindall and supported by independent financiers.

Subsequent to the prospective union prohibitions were declared last week, it commented: “We aim to collaborate in partnership as integrated into the worldwide fixture list.

“The competition is arranged with bespoke schedules for men's and women's teams and the organization will release all players for global fixtures, as included in their deals.”

The new league will seek approval for its initiatives from the international authority, the sport's administrative organization, at its board session in 2026.