R360 League Players Hit With 10-Year Ban from Australia's Rugby League

The NRL's administration has announced that players who enter the “breakaway” R360 competition will be barred for a decade.

The new league, set to start in 2026, is seeking to lure athletes from both codes with substantial agreements and a slimmed-down fixture list.

Prominent rugby league athletes have reportedly received offers by R360, which will involve six to eight men's teams and four women's teams based in large metropolitan areas globally.

Representing Samoa the player, who plays for New Zealand Warriors in the NRL, has stated he has had negotiations involving the breakaway league.

Ryan Papenhuyzen, Lomax, Haas and Jye Gray are also said to be thinking about signing R360.

Several leading rugby union teams, among them Australia, recently announced a ban on R360 recruits playing international matches.

“We have consulted our franchises and we've taken firm action,” stated Australian Rugby League Commission chief Peter V'Landys.

“Sadly, there will continually be organizations that try to exploit our game for economic benefit.

“They don't invest in talent pipelines or the growth of talent. They only leverage the hard work of others, endangering athletes of monetary damage while benefiting financially.

“They are, in reality, counterfeiting a code.”

R360 is established by ex-England star Mike Tindall and backed by commercial backers.

Following the potential union prohibitions were revealed earlier, it commented: “We want to work collaboratively as part of the global rugby calendar.

“The competition is designed with tailored timetables for male and female sides and R360 will permit participants for global fixtures, as included in their contracts.”

The breakaway group will apply for endorsement for its initiatives from the international authority, the sport's governing body, at its board session in 2026.