R360 League Recruits Subject to 10-Season Exclusion from NRL

The NRL's administration has declared that athletes who join the “breakaway” R360 competition will be banned for a decade.

The new league, which plans to launch in October 2026, is aiming to attract athletes from both codes with hefty contracts and a condensed fixture list.

Leading National Rugby League athletes have allegedly been contacted by R360, which will include six or eight men's teams and women's teams located in large metropolitan areas around the world.

Representing Samoa the rugby star, who is with his NRL club in the competition, has said he has had negotiations involving the new organization.

Papenhuyzen, Zac Lomax, Payne Haas and Gray are also believed to be thinking about signing the new competition.

Several leading union countries, among them Australia, recently imposed a ban on players joining R360 appearing in global fixtures.

“We have consulted our clubs and we've acted decisively,” commented Australian Rugby League Commission head Peter V'Landys.

“Unfortunately, there will persistently exist entities that try to exploit our game for economic benefit.

“They don't invest in development systems or the growth of talent. They only leverage the dedication of other organizations, putting players at risk of financial loss while gaining personally.

“Essentially, they are, counterfeiting a code.”

The organization is launched by retired international Mike Tindall and supported by private investors.

Subsequent to the possible rugby union sanctions were revealed earlier, it stated: “We want to work together as a component of the worldwide fixture list.

“The series is structured with customized calendars for male and female sides and the organization will allow all athletes for global fixtures, as written into their deals.”

R360 will seek approval for its initiatives from the international authority, the sport's regulatory group, at its council meeting next year.