R360 Competition Athletes Subject to Decade-Long Ban from Australia's Rugby League

The NRL's administration has announced that players who join the “breakaway” R360 competition will be prohibited for 10 years.

The new league, scheduled to begin in 2026, is aiming to attract rugby union and rugby league players with lucrative deals and a condensed game calendar.

Top rugby league stars have allegedly been contacted by R360, which will include multiple men's clubs and four women's sides located in large metropolitan areas worldwide.

The Samoan Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who represents his NRL club in the NRL, has said he has had discussions with R360.

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

A group of rugby union countries, including Australia, earlier imposed a restriction on players joining R360 appearing in global fixtures.

“We heard our franchises and we've responded strongly,” stated ARLC chief Peter V'Landys.

“Regrettably, there will continually be organizations that attempt to hijack our code for economic benefit.

“They don't invest in talent pipelines or the development of athletes. They merely capitalize on the hard work of others, endangering athletes of economic hardship while profiting themselves.

“Essentially, they are, imitating the sport.”

The league is co-founded by former England World Cup winner Tindall and funded by independent financiers.

Subsequent to the prospective rugby union prohibitions were revealed earlier, it commented: “We seek to cooperate together as integrated into the worldwide fixture list.

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

R360 will seek approval for its initiatives from the international authority, rugby union's administrative organization, at its board session next year.