R360 League Players Face 10-Year Suspension from Australia's Rugby League

Rugby league's authority has declared that players who sign with the “breakaway” R360 will be banned for a decade.

The proposed competition, which plans to launch in late 2026, is hoping to draw rugby union and rugby league players with substantial agreements and a reduced playing schedule.

Prominent NRL athletes have reportedly been approached by R360, which will involve six to eight men's clubs and four women's sides based in large metropolitan areas around the world.

Representing Samoa the rugby star, who plays for New Zealand Warriors in the competition, has confirmed he has had talks with R360.

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

Eight major rugby union nations, among them Australia, recently imposed a ban on players joining R360 appearing in global fixtures.

“We have consulted our clubs and we've acted decisively,” commented the league's chief V'Landys.

“Regrettably, there will continually be entities that attempt to hijack our game for economic benefit.

“They don't invest in development systems or the advancement of players. They merely capitalize on the efforts of existing bodies, jeopardizing careers of monetary damage while gaining personally.

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

R360 is established by former England World Cup winner Tindall and funded by independent financiers.

After the potential union prohibitions were declared earlier, it said: “We seek to cooperate together as integrated into the worldwide fixture list.

“The competition is arranged with bespoke schedules for male and female sides and we will allow all athletes for international matches, as included in their contracts.”

The breakaway group will seek approval for its plans from rugby union's governing body, the sport's administrative organization, at its board session in 2026.