R360 Competition Players Hit With 10-Season Ban from NRL

Rugby league's administration has announced that athletes who enter the “rebel” R360 competition will be barred for 10 years.

R360, which plans to launch in October 2026, is seeking to lure athletes from both codes with lucrative deals and a slimmed-down playing schedule.

Top National Rugby League stars have reportedly been approached by the breakaway group, which will feature six or eight men's sides and four women's teams located in large metropolitan areas worldwide.

Samoa's Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who is with New Zealand Warriors in the NRL, has said he has had discussions with R360.

Papenhuyzen, Zac Lomax, Haas and Gray are also reported to be weighing up offers from the new competition.

Several leading union countries, including Australia, earlier announced a prohibition on athletes signing with R360 participating in test matches.

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

“Regrettably, there will persistently exist organizations that try to exploit our code for monetary profit.

“They fail to contribute in development systems or the growth of athletes. They simply exploit the dedication of existing bodies, endangering athletes of economic hardship while profiting themselves.

“Essentially, they are, counterfeiting a code.”

The league is launched by retired international Mike Tindall and funded by private investors.

Subsequent to the potential rugby union sanctions were revealed last week, it said: “We aim to collaborate in partnership as a component of the global rugby calendar.

“The series is designed with bespoke schedules for both genders and R360 will permit participants for test matches, as written into their agreements.”

The breakaway group will apply for endorsement for its initiatives from the international authority, rugby union's administrative organization, at its council meeting in 2026.