R360 Competition Athletes Hit With 10-Season Exclusion from NRL

Australian rugby league's governing body has stated that players who sign with the “counterfeit” R360 competition will be banned for 10 seasons.

R360, which plans to launch in late 2026, is aiming to attract players from union and league with hefty contracts and a reduced fixture list.

Top rugby league stars have reportedly been approached by the breakaway group, which will feature six or eight men's clubs and four women's sides operating from major cities globally.

Representing Samoa Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who represents his NRL club in the competition, has stated he has had negotiations involving R360.

Ryan Papenhuyzen, Zac Lomax, Payne Haas and Gray are also believed to be weighing up offers from the rebel league.

Several leading rugby union countries, including Australia, earlier imposed a ban on players joining R360 participating in international matches.

“We have consulted our teams and we've responded strongly,” stated the league's chief the official.

“Unfortunately, there will always be entities that try to exploit our sport for economic benefit.

“They fail to contribute in development systems or the growth of players. They simply exploit the hard work of others, endangering athletes of financial loss while gaining personally.

“Essentially, they are, imitating the sport.”

The organization is co-founded by retired international Tindall and supported by private investors.

Subsequent to the prospective union prohibitions were announced earlier, it commented: “We aim to collaborate together as part of the international rugby schedule.

“The event is structured with customized calendars for men's and women's teams and the organization will allow all athletes for global fixtures, as specified in their agreements.”

R360 will request authorization for its proposals from the international authority, the sport's administrative organization, at its council meeting in 2026.