R360 Competition Players Hit With Decade-Long Suspension from NRL

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

R360, set to start in 2026, is aiming to attract athletes from both codes with substantial agreements and a condensed playing schedule.

Prominent National Rugby League athletes have allegedly been contacted by the new league, which will feature six or eight men's sides and women's teams located in large metropolitan areas globally.

Samoa's Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who is with New Zealand Warriors in the league, has said he has had talks with the breakaway league.

Ryan Papenhuyzen, Lomax, Haas and Jye Gray are also believed to be weighing up offers from the rebel league.

Several leading union countries, including Australia, last week imposed a ban on players joining R360 playing global fixtures.

“We've listened to our clubs and we've taken firm action,” stated ARLC chairman Peter V'Landys.

“Sadly, there will persistently exist groups that attempt to hijack our game for potential financial gain.

“They don't invest in development systems or the advancement of players. They only leverage the dedication of other organizations, jeopardizing careers of financial loss while gaining personally.

“Essentially, they are, counterfeiting a code.”

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

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

“The competition is arranged with tailored timetables for male and female sides and R360 will release all players for test matches, as written into their agreements.”

R360 will apply for endorsement for its initiatives from rugby union's governing body, rugby union's administrative organization, at its council meeting in 2026.