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

Rugby league's administration has stated that players who enter the “rebel” R360 will be barred for a decade.

The new league, scheduled to begin in 2026, is aiming to attract rugby union and rugby league players with lucrative deals and a slimmed-down game calendar.

Top NRL stars have reportedly received offers by the new league, which will involve multiple men's clubs and four women's sides operating from major cities worldwide.

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

Papenhuyzen, Lomax, Haas and Gray are also believed to be considering joining the new competition.

A group of union teams, among them Australia, earlier imposed a ban on players joining R360 playing test matches.

“We've listened to our teams and we've responded strongly,” stated Australian Rugby League Commission head Peter V'Landys.

“Sadly, there will persistently exist groups that attempt to hijack our sport for economic benefit.

“They don't invest in talent pipelines or the advancement of players. They merely capitalize on the efforts of other organizations, putting players at risk of financial loss while profiting themselves.

“Essentially, they are, counterfeiting a code.”

The league is co-founded by former England World Cup winner Tindall and backed by private investors.

Following the possible union bans were declared earlier, it stated: “We seek to cooperate in partnership as a component of the international rugby schedule.

“The competition is arranged with tailored timetables for men's and women's teams and R360 will allow all athletes for international matches, as included in their agreements.”

The new league will seek approval for its initiatives from the international authority, union's administrative organization, at its council meeting in 2026.