R360 Competition Players Hit With 10-Year Exclusion from Australia's Rugby League

Rugby league's administration has stated that athletes who enter the “rebel” R360 competition will be banned for a decade.

The proposed competition, which plans to launch in October 2026, is aiming to attract rugby union and rugby league players with lucrative deals and a condensed playing schedule.

Leading rugby league stars have reportedly received offers by R360, which will feature six or eight men's clubs and women's teams located in large metropolitan areas around the world.

Representing Samoa the player, who represents his NRL club in the NRL, has confirmed he has had talks with the breakaway league.

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

Eight major rugby union countries, including Australia, last week declared a prohibition on athletes signing with R360 appearing in international matches.

“We heard our teams and we've taken firm action,” stated the league's head V'Landys.

“Regrettably, there will always be groups that try to exploit our sport for monetary profit.

“They fail to contribute in talent pipelines or the development of athletes. They only leverage the efforts of others, endangering athletes of financial loss while gaining personally.

“In truth, they represent, imitating the sport.”

The organization is co-founded by ex-England star Tindall and funded by private investors.

Subsequent to the possible rugby union sanctions were announced last week, it said: “We want to work together as a component of the global rugby calendar.

“The series is arranged with tailored timetables for men's and women's teams and we will allow all athletes for test matches, as specified in their deals.”

R360 will request authorization for its plans from World Rugby, the sport's regulatory group, at its board session in the coming year.