R360 Players Face Decade-Long Ban from NRL

Rugby league's administration has declared that players who join the “counterfeit” R360 competition will be prohibited for 10 seasons.

R360, scheduled to begin in 2026, is seeking to lure rugby union and rugby league players with lucrative deals and a condensed fixture list.

Prominent National Rugby League stars have allegedly been contacted by R360, which will feature six to eight men's teams and women's teams based in large metropolitan areas worldwide.

The Samoan Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who is with his NRL club in the NRL, has confirmed he has had discussions with the new organization.

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

A group of rugby union nations, such as Australia, earlier imposed a restriction on players joining R360 participating in international matches.

“We've listened to our clubs and we've taken firm action,” said Australian Rugby League Commission chief V'Landys.

“Unfortunately, there will persistently exist groups that attempt to hijack our game for potential financial gain.

“They don't invest in pathways or the advancement of players. They simply exploit the efforts of others, endangering athletes of financial loss while profiting themselves.

“Essentially, they are, imitating the sport.”

R360 is established by ex-England star Mike Tindall and funded by independent financiers.

After the potential union prohibitions were revealed earlier, it stated: “We aim to collaborate together as part of the worldwide fixture list.

“The series is arranged with customized calendars for both genders and we will release all players for test matches, as specified in their contracts.”

R360 will request authorization for its proposals from the international authority, rugby union's administrative organization, at its board session in the coming year.