R360 Players Subject to 10-Season Ban from NRL

Australian rugby league's administration has announced that players who join the “rebel” R360 league will be barred for a decade.

The new league, which plans to launch in 2026, is hoping to draw players from union and league with substantial agreements and a reduced fixture list.

Leading National Rugby League stars have allegedly been contacted by R360, which will feature multiple men's clubs and women's teams based in key urban centers globally.

The Samoan the rugby star, who is with New Zealand Warriors in the competition, has said he has had talks with the breakaway league.

Ryan Papenhuyzen, Lomax, Payne Haas and Jye Gray are also reported to be weighing up offers from R360.

Eight major rugby union nations, among them Australia, last week declared a restriction on R360 recruits playing test matches.

“We have consulted our clubs and we've responded strongly,” commented ARLC head V'Landys.

“Regrettably, there will persistently exist entities that try to exploit our code for monetary profit.

“They fail to contribute in pathways or the growth of players. They simply exploit the dedication of other organizations, endangering athletes of monetary damage while gaining personally.

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

The league is co-founded by ex-England star Tindall and funded by private investors.

Following the prospective union bans were declared earlier, it stated: “We want to work collaboratively as a component of the international rugby schedule.

“The series is designed with customized calendars for men's and women's teams and the organization will permit participants for global fixtures, as specified in their contracts.”

The breakaway group will request authorization for its initiatives from rugby union's governing body, rugby union's administrative organization, at its board session next year.