R360 Competition Players Face Decade-Long Suspension from Australia's Rugby League

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

The new league, scheduled to begin in October 2026, is aiming to attract players from union and league with substantial agreements and a slimmed-down playing schedule.

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

Representing Samoa the player, who plays for his NRL club in the competition, has stated he has had negotiations involving the new organization.

Ryan Papenhuyzen, Zac Lomax, Haas and Jye Gray are also said to be thinking about signing the rebel league.

Eight major union teams, among them Australia, last week announced a restriction on R360 recruits playing test matches.

“We heard our teams and we've taken firm action,” commented Australian Rugby League Commission chairman V'Landys.

“Sadly, there will continually be entities that attempt to hijack our sport for economic benefit.

“They avoid funding in talent pipelines or the advancement of talent. They only leverage the hard work of other organizations, endangering athletes of economic hardship while gaining personally.

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

The league is established by retired international Tindall and funded by commercial backers.

After the prospective rugby union sanctions were declared recently, it commented: “We seek to cooperate together as part of the global rugby calendar.

“The series is arranged with bespoke schedules for men's and women's teams and R360 will permit participants for test matches, as included in their agreements.”

The breakaway group will request authorization for its proposals from the international authority, union's regulatory group, at its official gathering in the coming year.