R360 League Athletes Subject to 10-Year Exclusion from NRL

The NRL's administration has announced that participants who sign with the “rebel” R360 will be prohibited for a decade.

The new league, which plans to launch in October 2026, is hoping to draw athletes from both codes with substantial agreements and a slimmed-down game calendar.

Prominent National Rugby League stars have reportedly received offers by R360, which will feature multiple men's teams and women's teams operating from major cities globally.

Representing Samoa the player, who is with the Warriors in the league, has said he has had discussions with R360.

Ryan Papenhuyzen, Zac Lomax, Payne Haas and Jye Gray are also said to be thinking about signing R360.

A group of rugby union countries, such as Australia, recently declared a restriction on R360 recruits appearing in global fixtures.

“We have consulted our teams and we've acted decisively,” said the league's chairman V'Landys.

“Unfortunately, there will persistently exist organizations that seek to pirate our game for potential financial gain.

“They don't invest in development systems or the growth of athletes. They simply exploit the hard work of existing bodies, jeopardizing careers of economic hardship while profiting themselves.

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

R360 is launched by ex-England star Mike Tindall and supported by private investors.

After the potential rugby union prohibitions were revealed recently, it commented: “We aim to collaborate collaboratively as a component of the worldwide fixture list.

“The event is arranged with tailored timetables for male and female sides and the organization will allow all athletes for global fixtures, as specified in their contracts.”

The breakaway group will apply for endorsement for its proposals from World Rugby, union's governing body, at its board session next year.