R360 Competition Recruits Face 10-Year Exclusion from NRL

Australian rugby league's authority has stated that athletes who enter the “counterfeit” R360 will be prohibited for 10 seasons.

R360, which plans to launch in late 2026, is seeking to lure rugby union and rugby league players with lucrative deals and a condensed playing schedule.

Top National Rugby League athletes have reportedly received offers by the new league, which will feature six to eight men's sides and four women's sides operating from major cities around the world.

The Samoan the player, who plays for New Zealand Warriors in the competition, has confirmed he has had talks with the new organization.

Ryan Papenhuyzen, Zac Lomax, Payne Haas and Gray are also reported to be weighing up offers from the new competition.

Eight major rugby union teams, including Australia, earlier announced a prohibition on athletes signing with R360 participating in test matches.

“We've listened to our teams and we've responded strongly,” said the league's chairman the official.

“Unfortunately, there will always be groups that attempt to hijack our game for monetary profit.

“They don't invest in pathways or the development of talent. They only leverage 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 former England World Cup winner Mike Tindall and backed by commercial backers.

After the possible rugby union bans were announced earlier, it commented: “We aim to collaborate in partnership as a component of the international rugby schedule.

“The series is arranged with customized calendars for both genders and R360 will permit participants for global fixtures, as specified in their agreements.”

The new league will apply for endorsement for its proposals from World Rugby, rugby union's governing body, at its board session in 2026.