R360 League Athletes Face Decade-Long Suspension from NRL

Australian rugby league's authority has announced that players who sign with the “rebel” R360 will be prohibited for 10 seasons.

The proposed competition, 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 National Rugby League players have allegedly been contacted by the breakaway group, which will feature multiple men's clubs and women's teams based in key urban centers globally.

Samoa's the player, who is with the Warriors in the competition, has said he has had talks with R360.

Papenhuyzen, Lomax, Haas and Gray are also said to be weighing up offers from the rebel league.

Several leading union nations, such as Australia, earlier announced a restriction on athletes signing with R360 appearing in global fixtures.

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

“Sadly, there will continually be organizations that attempt to hijack our sport for monetary profit.

“They avoid funding in development systems or the growth of players. They simply exploit the efforts of other organizations, jeopardizing careers of financial loss while benefiting financially.

“In truth, they represent, copying the game.”

The organization is launched by former England World Cup winner Tindall and funded by commercial backers.

Following the prospective rugby union sanctions were revealed last week, it stated: “We seek to cooperate together as integrated into the worldwide fixture list.

“The event is arranged with bespoke schedules for men's and women's teams and we will allow all athletes for test matches, as included in their contracts.”

The new league will request authorization for its proposals from the international authority, rugby union's regulatory group, at its board session next year.