R360 Athletes Subject to Decade-Long Exclusion from Australia's Rugby League

Rugby league's authority has announced that players who join the “counterfeit” R360 competition will be prohibited for 10 years.

The proposed competition, which plans to launch in October 2026, is seeking to lure rugby union and rugby league players with hefty contracts and a reduced game calendar.

Prominent rugby league stars have reportedly received offers by the new league, which will involve six or eight men's teams and four women's teams based in large metropolitan areas worldwide.

Representing Samoa the player, who plays for the Warriors in the NRL, has said he has had discussions with R360.

Ryan Papenhuyzen, Lomax, Payne Haas and Gray are also said to be weighing up offers from the rebel league.

Eight major rugby union teams, such as Australia, last week declared a restriction on athletes signing with R360 appearing in international matches.

“We've listened to our teams and we've acted decisively,” stated ARLC chief Peter V'Landys.

“Sadly, there will persistently exist entities that seek to pirate our code for monetary profit.

“They avoid funding in pathways or the growth of players. They simply exploit the efforts of others, jeopardizing careers of monetary damage while profiting themselves.

“Essentially, they are, counterfeiting a code.”

The league is established by retired international Mike Tindall and supported by private investors.

Subsequent to the potential union sanctions were declared earlier, it said: “We want to work in partnership as integrated into 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 test matches, as written into their deals.”

The new league will seek approval for its proposals from rugby union's governing body, union's governing body, at its board session next year.