R360 Competition Athletes Face 10-Year Exclusion from National Rugby League

Australian rugby league's governing body has announced that athletes who enter the “breakaway” R360 will be barred for 10 seasons.

R360, which plans to launch in 2026, is hoping to draw athletes from both codes with substantial agreements and a slimmed-down game calendar.

Prominent National Rugby League players have allegedly been contacted by the breakaway group, which will involve multiple men's sides and four women's sides located in major cities globally.

The Samoan the rugby star, who plays for the Warriors in the league, has said he has had negotiations involving R360.

Papenhuyzen, Zac Lomax, Payne Haas and Jye Gray are also reported to be thinking about signing the rebel league.

Several leading union teams, such as Australia, recently declared a ban on players joining R360 appearing in international matches.

“We have consulted our teams and we've acted decisively,” commented Australian Rugby League Commission chief V'Landys.

“Unfortunately, there will always be groups that try to exploit our game for economic benefit.

“They avoid funding in pathways or the development of players. They merely capitalize on the hard work of existing bodies, jeopardizing careers of monetary damage while profiting themselves.

“They are, in reality, copying the game.”

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

Subsequent to the prospective rugby union sanctions were announced earlier, it stated: “We aim to collaborate collaboratively as integrated into the global rugby calendar.

“The series is arranged with customized calendars for both genders and the organization will release all players for test matches, as written into their agreements.”

The new league will request authorization for its initiatives from rugby union's governing body, union's governing body, at its board session next year.