R360 Competition Recruits Subject to 10-Season Suspension from National Rugby League

Australian rugby league's authority has announced that participants who sign with the “rebel” R360 league will be prohibited for a decade.

R360, set to start in 2026, is aiming to attract players from union and league with lucrative deals and a condensed playing schedule.

Top NRL athletes have reportedly received offers by the breakaway group, which will include six to eight men's sides and four women's teams operating from key urban centers globally.

Representing Samoa Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who plays for the Warriors in the league, has stated he has had negotiations involving the breakaway league.

Ryan Papenhuyzen, Lomax, Payne Haas and Jye Gray are also believed to be considering joining the new competition.

Several leading union nations, such as Australia, earlier imposed a ban on athletes signing with R360 appearing in international matches.

“We have consulted our clubs and we've taken firm action,” stated ARLC chairman the official.

“Regrettably, there will always be entities that try to exploit our code for economic benefit.

“They don't invest in talent pipelines or the advancement of players. They merely capitalize on the dedication of other organizations, putting players at risk of financial loss while gaining personally.

“They are, in reality, copying the game.”

The organization is launched by former England World Cup winner Tindall and funded by private investors.

After the prospective rugby union bans were announced earlier, it said: “We want to work collaboratively as a component of the international rugby schedule.

“The competition is arranged with bespoke schedules for male and female sides and we will allow all athletes for test matches, as included in their contracts.”

The breakaway group will seek approval for its initiatives from the international authority, the sport's administrative organization, at its official gathering next year.