R360 League Athletes Face Decade-Long Suspension from National Rugby League

Rugby league's administration has announced that participants who sign with the “counterfeit” R360 league will be banned for 10 seasons.

The new league, set to start in late 2026, is seeking to lure rugby union and rugby league players with lucrative deals and a slimmed-down game calendar.

Prominent NRL athletes have allegedly been contacted by the breakaway group, which will involve six or eight men's clubs and four women's sides located in key urban centers worldwide.

Samoa's the player, who represents New Zealand Warriors in the league, has said he has had talks with R360.

Ryan Papenhuyzen, Zac Lomax, Haas and Gray are also said to be considering joining R360.

Eight major rugby union countries, including Australia, earlier announced a ban on R360 recruits playing test matches.

“We've listened to our teams and we've responded strongly,” said ARLC chief V'Landys.

“Regrettably, there will persistently exist groups that try to exploit our code for monetary profit.

“They avoid funding in development systems or the advancement of athletes. They only leverage the dedication of existing bodies, jeopardizing careers of economic hardship while gaining personally.

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

The organization is launched by former England World Cup winner Mike Tindall and supported by private investors.

Subsequent to the prospective rugby union sanctions were declared last week, it commented: “We seek to cooperate in partnership as a component of the global rugby calendar.

“The series is designed with customized calendars for men's and women's teams and we will permit participants for global fixtures, as included in their contracts.”

The breakaway group will seek approval for its plans from rugby union's governing body, union's regulatory group, at its council meeting in 2026.