R360 League Players Subject to Decade-Long Exclusion from NRL

Australian rugby league's authority has declared that players who join the “breakaway” R360 will be banned for 10 years.

R360, scheduled to begin in late 2026, is hoping to draw athletes from both codes with lucrative deals and a reduced playing schedule.

Leading rugby league athletes have reportedly received offers by the new league, which will include multiple men's clubs and four women's teams operating from key urban centers globally.

Samoa's Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who represents his NRL club in the league, has said he has had discussions with the breakaway league.

Ryan Papenhuyzen, Lomax, Haas and Gray are also reported to be considering joining the rebel league.

Several leading rugby union countries, among them Australia, last week imposed a restriction on players joining R360 playing global fixtures.

“We've listened to our franchises and we've responded strongly,” said the league's head Peter V'Landys.

“Unfortunately, there will always be groups that try to exploit our code for monetary profit.

“They don't invest in development systems or the development of players. They simply exploit the efforts of others, putting players at risk of monetary damage while profiting themselves.

“Essentially, they are, imitating the sport.”

The organization is co-founded by former England World Cup winner Tindall and funded by commercial backers.

After the possible rugby union sanctions were announced earlier, it commented: “We aim to collaborate together as integrated into the global rugby calendar.

“The competition is designed with tailored timetables for male and female sides and we will allow all athletes for international matches, as written into their agreements.”

The new league will seek approval for its plans from World Rugby, union's governing body, at its official gathering in the coming year.