R360 League Athletes Subject to 10-Year Ban from Australia's Rugby League

Rugby league's governing body has announced that participants who sign with the “breakaway” R360 will be barred for 10 years.

R360, scheduled to begin in October 2026, is aiming to attract athletes from both codes with lucrative deals and a slimmed-down fixture list.

Leading NRL stars have allegedly been contacted by the new league, which will include six or eight men's sides and four women's teams based in large metropolitan areas around the world.

The Samoan the rugby star, who is with the Warriors in the NRL, has said he has had discussions with the breakaway league.

Papenhuyzen, Lomax, Payne Haas and Gray are also believed to be thinking about signing the rebel league.

A group of union teams, such as Australia, last week announced a prohibition on athletes signing with R360 playing international matches.

“We heard our franchises and we've acted decisively,” commented ARLC chief V'Landys.

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

“They fail to contribute in pathways or the growth of athletes. They merely capitalize on the efforts of other organizations, endangering athletes of financial loss while gaining personally.

“Essentially, they are, imitating the sport.”

The organization is established by former England World Cup winner Mike Tindall and funded by private investors.

After the possible rugby union bans were revealed earlier, it said: “We want to work in partnership as part of the worldwide fixture list.

“The competition is structured with customized calendars for men's and women's teams and we will allow all athletes for test matches, as written into their contracts.”

The new league will apply for endorsement for its plans from rugby union's governing body, the sport's governing body, at its council meeting next year.