R360 Competition Players Subject to 10-Season Ban from Australia's Rugby League

Rugby league's administration has declared that participants who sign with the “counterfeit” R360 league will be banned for 10 years.

R360, which plans to launch in 2026, is hoping to draw players from union and league with lucrative deals and a condensed game calendar.

Leading NRL stars have allegedly been contacted by the breakaway group, which will feature six or eight men's teams and women's teams based in large metropolitan areas globally.

The Samoan Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who is with New Zealand Warriors in the league, has stated he has had discussions with the breakaway league.

Papenhuyzen, Zac Lomax, Payne Haas and Gray are also believed to be considering joining R360.

Several leading rugby union teams, including Australia, recently declared a restriction on R360 recruits participating in global fixtures.

“We have consulted our teams and we've acted decisively,” stated Australian Rugby League Commission chairman the official.

“Regrettably, there will always be organizations that attempt to hijack our sport for potential financial gain.

“They don't invest in talent pipelines or the development of talent. They only leverage the efforts of existing bodies, endangering athletes of financial loss while gaining personally.

“In truth, they represent, imitating the sport.”

The organization is co-founded by former England World Cup winner Tindall and funded by independent financiers.

Subsequent to the potential rugby union prohibitions were revealed earlier, it said: “We aim to collaborate together as a component of the international rugby schedule.

“The event is arranged with customized calendars for both genders and the organization will permit participants for international matches, as specified in their agreements.”

The breakaway group will request authorization for its plans from the international authority, rugby union's regulatory group, at its official gathering in the coming year.