R360 League Athletes Face Decade-Long Exclusion from NRL

The NRL's administration has announced that participants who join the “breakaway” R360 competition will be prohibited for 10 seasons.

The new league, scheduled to begin in late 2026, is aiming to attract rugby union and rugby league players with lucrative deals and a condensed game calendar.

Top National Rugby League players have reportedly been approached by R360, which will involve six to eight men's teams and four women's sides operating from key urban centers globally.

Samoa's the player, who is with the Warriors in the NRL, has stated he has had discussions with the breakaway league.

Ryan Papenhuyzen, Lomax, Haas and Jye Gray are also said to be thinking about signing the new competition.

Several leading union countries, including Australia, earlier announced a prohibition on R360 recruits participating in global fixtures.

“We have consulted our teams and we've taken firm action,” commented the league's head Peter V'Landys.

“Regrettably, there will persistently exist entities that seek to pirate our game for potential financial gain.

“They fail to contribute in pathways or the development of athletes. They simply exploit the dedication of others, endangering athletes of economic hardship while benefiting financially.

“They are, in reality, copying the game.”

The organization is launched by ex-England star Mike Tindall and funded by independent financiers.

Subsequent to the prospective union sanctions were announced earlier, it commented: “We seek to cooperate collaboratively as integrated into the global rugby calendar.

“The series is designed with tailored timetables for men's and women's teams and the organization will allow all athletes for test matches, as specified in their deals.”

The breakaway group will apply for endorsement for its initiatives from the international authority, union's regulatory group, at its official gathering next year.