R360 Competition Recruits Face 10-Season Ban from NRL

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

R360, which plans to launch in October 2026, is aiming to attract players from union and league with hefty contracts and a reduced fixture list.

Top NRL athletes have reportedly received offers by the breakaway group, which will include six or eight men's clubs and four women's teams based in major cities worldwide.

Samoa's the player, who is with the Warriors in the NRL, has confirmed he has had talks with R360.

Papenhuyzen, Lomax, Haas and Jye Gray are also believed to be weighing up offers from the rebel league.

Several leading rugby union countries, among them Australia, recently declared a ban on athletes signing with R360 participating in international matches.

“We have consulted our teams and we've taken firm action,” stated ARLC head Peter V'Landys.

“Unfortunately, there will persistently exist organizations that try to exploit our code for potential financial gain.

“They don't invest in development systems or the advancement of athletes. They only leverage the efforts of existing bodies, putting players at risk of financial loss while profiting themselves.

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

R360 is co-founded by retired international Tindall and funded by commercial backers.

Following the potential rugby union bans were declared recently, it said: “We want to work collaboratively as a component of the global rugby calendar.

“The competition is arranged with customized calendars for men's and women's teams and the organization will permit participants for international matches, as specified in their contracts.”

The breakaway group will apply for endorsement for its proposals from the international authority, union's regulatory group, at its official gathering in 2026.