R360 Players Subject to 10-Year Suspension from NRL

Rugby league's administration has declared that participants who join the “rebel” R360 league will be barred for 10 seasons.

The proposed competition, which plans to launch in October 2026, is aiming to attract players from union and league with lucrative deals and a condensed playing schedule.

Prominent National Rugby League athletes have allegedly been contacted by R360, which will include multiple men's teams and four women's sides operating from large metropolitan areas worldwide.

The Samoan the player, who represents his NRL club in the NRL, has stated he has had negotiations involving the new organization.

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

Eight major union countries, among them Australia, recently imposed a ban on players joining R360 appearing in test matches.

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

“Regrettably, there will always be organizations that try to exploit our code for potential financial gain.

“They fail to contribute in talent pipelines or the advancement of players. They simply exploit the efforts of others, endangering athletes of economic hardship while profiting themselves.

“Essentially, they are, imitating the sport.”

R360 is co-founded by retired international Mike Tindall and supported by private investors.

Following the prospective rugby union sanctions were announced last week, it said: “We want to work in partnership as part of the global rugby calendar.

“The competition is arranged with customized calendars 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 proposals from World Rugby, union's administrative organization, at its council meeting in the coming year.