R360 League Players Hit With 10-Year Exclusion from National Rugby League

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

The proposed competition, which plans to launch in October 2026, is aiming to attract players from union and league with hefty contracts and a condensed game calendar.

Prominent rugby league stars have reportedly received offers by R360, which will include six to eight men's sides and four women's teams operating from major cities around the world.

Samoa's Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who is with New Zealand Warriors in the NRL, has stated he has had discussions with the new organization.

Papenhuyzen, Lomax, Payne Haas and Jye Gray are also reported to be thinking about signing the rebel league.

Eight major union nations, among them Australia, earlier declared a ban on players joining R360 playing test matches.

“We have consulted our clubs and we've responded strongly,” stated Australian Rugby League Commission chairman the official.

“Unfortunately, there will continually be organizations that seek to pirate our code for monetary profit.

“They don't invest in talent pipelines or the advancement of players. They only leverage the hard work of other organizations, putting players at risk of economic hardship while gaining personally.

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

The league is launched by former England World Cup winner Mike Tindall and backed by commercial backers.

Subsequent to the possible rugby union sanctions were revealed recently, it commented: “We seek to cooperate collaboratively as a component of the worldwide fixture list.

“The series is structured with tailored timetables for male and female sides and we will release all players for international matches, as included in their agreements.”

The new league will seek approval for its plans from the international authority, union's governing body, at its official gathering next year.