R360 Competition Athletes Hit With 10-Season Ban from National Rugby League

Australian rugby league's administration has declared that athletes who enter the “counterfeit” R360 league will be prohibited for 10 seasons.

The new league, which plans to launch in October 2026, is seeking to lure players from union and league with lucrative deals and a condensed game calendar.

Top NRL players have reportedly received offers by the breakaway group, which will involve multiple men's clubs and four women's teams based in key urban centers worldwide.

Representing Samoa the player, who plays for the Warriors in the league, has stated he has had talks with the new organization.

Papenhuyzen, Zac Lomax, Haas and Gray are also reported to be considering joining R360.

Eight major rugby union countries, including Australia, recently announced a ban on athletes signing with R360 playing international matches.

“We heard our teams and we've acted decisively,” commented the league's head the official.

“Regrettably, there will continually be groups that attempt to hijack our sport for economic benefit.

“They avoid funding in pathways or the development of players. They merely capitalize on the dedication of existing bodies, putting players at risk of financial loss while benefiting financially.

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

R360 is launched by retired international Mike Tindall and funded by private investors.

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

“The series is designed with bespoke schedules for men's and women's teams and R360 will allow all athletes for test matches, as written into their contracts.”

R360 will request authorization for its initiatives from World Rugby, rugby union's regulatory group, at its board session in 2026.