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

Rugby league's authority has stated that athletes who sign with the “rebel” R360 will be prohibited for a decade.

R360, which plans to launch in late 2026, is aiming to attract athletes from both codes with substantial agreements and a condensed game calendar.

Prominent National Rugby League athletes have allegedly been contacted by R360, which will involve six or eight men's teams and four women's sides located in large metropolitan areas around the world.

The Samoan the rugby star, who plays for his NRL club in the competition, has confirmed he has had talks with R360.

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

Several leading union nations, among them Australia, earlier announced a ban on R360 recruits playing global fixtures.

“We have consulted our clubs and we've acted decisively,” stated ARLC chairman Peter V'Landys.

“Sadly, there will always be groups that seek to pirate our sport for economic benefit.

“They fail to contribute in pathways or the growth of players. They only leverage the efforts of others, putting players at risk of economic hardship while benefiting financially.

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

The organization is co-founded by retired international Mike Tindall and backed by commercial backers.

Subsequent to the potential union bans were announced recently, it commented: “We want to work collaboratively as a component of the international rugby schedule.

“The series is structured with bespoke schedules for men's and women's teams and the organization will release all players for global fixtures, as specified in their deals.”

The breakaway group will request authorization for its initiatives from the international authority, rugby union's regulatory group, at its council meeting in 2026.