R360 Competition Athletes Hit With 10-Year Ban from National Rugby League

The NRL's administration has announced that athletes who join the “breakaway” R360 league will be prohibited for 10 years.

R360, set to start in late 2026, is seeking to lure athletes from both codes with hefty contracts and a reduced fixture list.

Prominent National Rugby League stars have reportedly been approached by R360, which will include multiple men's clubs and women's teams operating from major cities globally.

Samoa's the rugby star, who is with his NRL club in the league, has confirmed he has had negotiations involving the new organization.

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

A group of rugby union teams, among them Australia, earlier imposed a restriction on players joining R360 appearing in international matches.

“We heard our franchises and we've acted decisively,” stated Australian Rugby League Commission head Peter V'Landys.

“Regrettably, there will always be entities that attempt to hijack our game for monetary profit.

“They avoid funding in talent pipelines or the development of talent. They simply exploit the hard work of other organizations, putting players at risk of monetary damage while benefiting financially.

“In truth, they represent, copying the game.”

The organization is established by retired international Tindall and backed by independent financiers.

After the prospective union prohibitions were revealed earlier, it stated: “We seek to cooperate in partnership as a component of the international rugby schedule.

“The event is structured with tailored timetables for men's and women's teams and the organization will permit participants for global fixtures, as specified in their contracts.”

The breakaway group will seek approval for its initiatives from World Rugby, rugby union's administrative organization, at its official gathering in 2026.