R360 Competition Recruits Face 10-Season Suspension from NRL

Australian rugby league's governing body has announced that athletes who join the “rebel” R360 league will be prohibited for 10 years.

The new league, set to start in 2026, is seeking to lure rugby union and rugby league players with lucrative deals and a reduced fixture list.

Prominent National Rugby League athletes have reportedly received offers by R360, which will involve six or eight men's sides and four women's sides operating from major cities worldwide.

Samoa's the rugby star, who is with New Zealand Warriors in the league, has said he has had talks with the new organization.

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

Eight major union teams, including Australia, earlier imposed a ban on R360 recruits participating in test matches.

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

“Unfortunately, there will always be entities that try to exploit our game for monetary profit.

“They don't invest in development systems or the development of players. They merely capitalize on the dedication of existing bodies, putting players at risk of monetary damage while gaining personally.

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

The league is established by retired international Tindall and backed by private investors.

Subsequent to the possible rugby union prohibitions were announced recently, it commented: “We seek to cooperate collaboratively as a component of the global rugby calendar.

“The competition is designed with tailored timetables for male and female sides and the organization will permit participants for global fixtures, as specified in their contracts.”

The new league will request authorization for its proposals from World Rugby, rugby union's governing body, at its council meeting in the coming year.