R360 Athletes Hit With Decade-Long Suspension from National Rugby League

The NRL's authority has announced that players who join the “breakaway” R360 competition will be banned for 10 years.

R360, which plans to launch in late 2026, is seeking to lure rugby union and rugby league players with hefty contracts and a reduced fixture list.

Top rugby league players have reportedly been approached by the new league, which will involve six or eight men's teams and women's teams based in large metropolitan areas globally.

Representing Samoa the rugby star, who represents the Warriors in the NRL, has stated he has had discussions with the new organization.

Ryan Papenhuyzen, Lomax, Payne Haas and Gray are also reported to be considering joining the rebel league.

A group of rugby union countries, among them Australia, earlier announced a prohibition on athletes signing with R360 playing global fixtures.

“We heard our teams and we've taken firm action,” commented the league's chairman V'Landys.

“Sadly, there will continually be groups that attempt to hijack our code for monetary profit.

“They avoid funding in pathways or the advancement of players. They only leverage the hard work of other organizations, putting players at risk of financial loss while gaining personally.

“In truth, they represent, counterfeiting a code.”

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

Subsequent to the potential union sanctions were declared recently, it stated: “We want to work in partnership as part of the international rugby schedule.

“The competition is arranged with customized calendars for both genders and R360 will permit participants for international matches, as written into their contracts.”

R360 will request authorization for its proposals from rugby union's governing body, the sport's governing body, at its board session in the coming year.