R360 Athletes Subject to Decade-Long Suspension from National Rugby League

Rugby league's authority has announced that participants who sign with the “counterfeit” R360 league will be barred for a decade.

R360, which plans to launch in late 2026, is seeking to lure athletes from both codes with hefty contracts and a slimmed-down game calendar.

Leading NRL players have allegedly been contacted by the new league, which will involve six or eight men's teams and four women's sides located in key urban centers globally.

Representing Samoa the rugby star, who plays for his NRL club in the league, has confirmed he has had negotiations involving the new organization.

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

Eight major union countries, including Australia, recently announced a restriction on R360 recruits participating in test matches.

“We've listened to our teams and we've taken firm action,” said the league's chairman Peter V'Landys.

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

“They don't invest in talent pipelines or the advancement of athletes. They simply exploit the efforts of existing bodies, endangering athletes of financial loss while gaining personally.

“In truth, they represent, counterfeiting a code.”

R360 is established by retired international Tindall and supported by commercial backers.

After the potential union prohibitions were declared earlier, it stated: “We want to work together as integrated into the worldwide fixture list.

“The competition is structured with customized calendars for male and female sides and the organization will release all players for test matches, as specified in their agreements.”

R360 will request authorization for its initiatives from World Rugby, union's administrative organization, at its council meeting in 2026.