R360 League Recruits Hit With 10-Year Exclusion from National Rugby League

The NRL's authority has stated that athletes who sign with the “counterfeit” R360 will be prohibited for 10 years.

The proposed competition, scheduled to begin in October 2026, is seeking to lure rugby union and rugby league players with hefty contracts and a slimmed-down game calendar.

Prominent NRL players have reportedly been approached by the new league, which will feature six or eight men's teams and women's teams based in major cities around the world.

Samoa's the player, who plays for the Warriors in the league, has said he has had talks with the breakaway league.

Papenhuyzen, Zac Lomax, Payne Haas and Gray are also reported to be thinking about signing the rebel league.

Several leading rugby union nations, such as Australia, recently declared a restriction on athletes signing with R360 playing global fixtures.

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

“Sadly, there will persistently exist entities that attempt to hijack our code for monetary profit.

“They don't invest in pathways or the growth of talent. They only leverage the hard work of other organizations, endangering athletes of financial loss while profiting themselves.

“In truth, they represent, imitating the sport.”

The organization is co-founded by former England World Cup winner Tindall and backed by independent financiers.

After the prospective union prohibitions were announced last week, it said: “We seek to cooperate together as part of the worldwide fixture list.

“The event is arranged with customized calendars for both genders and the organization will allow all athletes for global fixtures, as written into their agreements.”

The breakaway group will apply for endorsement for its proposals from World Rugby, the sport's regulatory group, at its official gathering in 2026.