R360 Competition Recruits Hit With 10-Year Exclusion from Australia's Rugby League

The NRL's authority has announced that athletes who enter the “breakaway” R360 will be barred for a decade.

R360, scheduled to begin in 2026, is hoping to draw rugby union and rugby league players with lucrative deals and a condensed fixture list.

Top rugby league players have reportedly been approached by R360, which will include multiple men's clubs and women's teams located in key urban centers worldwide.

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

Papenhuyzen, Lomax, Haas and Jye Gray are also believed to be considering joining the rebel league.

A group of union countries, among them Australia, recently declared a restriction on athletes signing with R360 participating in global fixtures.

“We heard our teams and we've responded strongly,” stated Australian Rugby League Commission chief V'Landys.

“Sadly, there will persistently exist groups that seek to pirate our game for monetary profit.

“They fail to contribute in pathways or the growth of players. They merely capitalize on the efforts of others, endangering athletes of financial loss while gaining personally.

“They are, in reality, imitating the sport.”

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

Following the possible union prohibitions were declared earlier, it stated: “We seek to cooperate in partnership as part of the global rugby calendar.

“The competition is designed with customized calendars for both genders and we will release all players for test matches, as specified in their agreements.”

R360 will apply for endorsement for its plans from rugby union's governing body, the sport's administrative organization, at its official gathering next year.