R360 League Players Face 10-Year Ban from National Rugby League

Australian rugby league's governing body has declared that players who join the “breakaway” R360 league will be banned for 10 seasons.

R360, which plans to launch in 2026, is aiming to attract athletes from both codes with substantial agreements and a slimmed-down fixture list.

Prominent rugby league stars have reportedly been approached by the new league, which will involve multiple men's clubs and four women's sides based in large metropolitan areas worldwide.

Samoa's the rugby star, who represents the Warriors in the NRL, has stated he has had negotiations involving R360.

Papenhuyzen, Zac Lomax, Haas and Jye Gray are also said to be weighing up offers from R360.

Eight major union teams, including Australia, last week declared a ban on athletes signing with R360 playing global fixtures.

“We heard our franchises and we've responded strongly,” said the league's chief the official.

“Regrettably, there will persistently exist organizations that try to exploit our code for economic benefit.

“They fail to contribute in talent pipelines or the development of players. They only leverage the hard work of other organizations, putting players at risk of financial loss while profiting themselves.

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

The league is co-founded by former England World Cup winner Mike Tindall and funded by private investors.

After the prospective rugby union prohibitions were announced last week, it stated: “We want to work together as integrated into the worldwide fixture list.

“The event is designed with tailored timetables for both genders and we will permit participants for test matches, as written into their contracts.”

R360 will request authorization for its initiatives from rugby union's governing body, union's administrative organization, at its official gathering in the coming year.