R360 Competition Athletes Face 10-Season Ban from NRL

Rugby league's governing body has announced that players who join the “counterfeit” R360 competition will be banned for 10 seasons.

The new league, scheduled to begin in late 2026, is hoping to draw rugby union and rugby league players with lucrative deals and a slimmed-down game calendar.

Prominent National Rugby League players have reportedly been approached by the new league, which will feature six to eight men's sides and four women's teams based in key urban centers around the world.

Representing Samoa the rugby star, who plays for New Zealand Warriors in the competition, has stated he has had negotiations involving the breakaway league.

Ryan Papenhuyzen, Lomax, Payne Haas and Jye Gray are also said to be weighing up offers from R360.

Eight major union countries, such as Australia, recently announced a restriction on R360 recruits participating in test matches.

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

“Regrettably, there will always be organizations that try to exploit our game for monetary profit.

“They avoid funding in development systems or the development of athletes. They simply exploit the hard work of others, jeopardizing careers of economic hardship while gaining personally.

“In truth, they represent, copying the game.”

The organization is launched by retired international Tindall and backed by independent financiers.

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

“The event is designed with tailored timetables for male and female sides and R360 will allow all athletes for test matches, as specified in their deals.”

R360 will apply for endorsement for its initiatives from rugby union's governing body, the sport's governing body, at its official gathering in 2026.