R360 Players Subject to 10-Season Exclusion from Australia's Rugby League

Rugby league's governing body has stated that players who sign with the “rebel” R360 league will be prohibited for 10 years.

The new league, scheduled to begin in late 2026, is hoping to draw players from union and league with lucrative deals and a slimmed-down playing schedule.

Prominent National Rugby League stars have reportedly been approached by the breakaway group, which will feature six to eight men's teams and four women's sides located in large metropolitan areas globally.

Samoa's Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who represents his NRL club in the NRL, has confirmed he has had negotiations involving the breakaway league.

Papenhuyzen, Lomax, Haas and Gray are also said to be considering joining the new competition.

Several leading union teams, such as Australia, earlier declared a restriction on R360 recruits appearing in global fixtures.

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

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

“They avoid funding in development systems or the development of athletes. They merely capitalize on the efforts of other organizations, endangering athletes of financial loss while profiting themselves.

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

The organization is launched by retired international Tindall and funded by independent financiers.

Following the possible rugby union sanctions were declared last week, it stated: “We want to work together as a component of the worldwide fixture list.

“The event is designed with tailored timetables for male and female sides and R360 will allow all athletes for test matches, as specified in their deals.”

The new league will seek approval for its plans from World Rugby, union's regulatory group, at its official gathering in the coming year.