R360 League Recruits Subject to 10-Season Ban from NRL

Australian rugby league's governing body has declared that players who join the “rebel” R360 will be barred for a decade.

The proposed competition, set to start in October 2026, is hoping to draw rugby union and rugby league players with lucrative deals and a reduced playing schedule.

Prominent NRL athletes have allegedly been contacted by R360, which will include multiple men's teams and four women's teams operating from major cities globally.

The Samoan Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who is with his NRL club in the competition, has stated he has had negotiations involving the new organization.

Papenhuyzen, Lomax, Payne Haas and Gray are also said to be thinking about signing the new competition.

A group of union teams, including Australia, earlier imposed a ban on players joining R360 playing international matches.

“We've listened to our franchises and we've taken firm action,” stated the league's chairman the official.

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

“They don't invest in talent pipelines or the development of athletes. They only leverage the efforts of others, endangering athletes of monetary damage while profiting themselves.

“In truth, they represent, counterfeiting a code.”

R360 is established by former England World Cup winner Mike Tindall and supported by independent financiers.

Subsequent to the prospective rugby union prohibitions were announced recently, it commented: “We want to work collaboratively as integrated into the international rugby schedule.

“The event is structured with tailored timetables for male and female sides and we will allow all athletes for international matches, as included in their contracts.”

The new league will request authorization for its initiatives from World Rugby, the sport's administrative organization, at its council meeting in the coming year.