R360 Recruits Face 10-Year Ban from NRL

Australian rugby league's administration has announced that participants who join the “breakaway” R360 league will be barred for 10 seasons.

The new league, which plans to launch in late 2026, is seeking to lure rugby union and rugby league players with hefty contracts and a condensed game calendar.

Prominent NRL athletes have allegedly been contacted by the new league, which will involve multiple men's sides and four women's sides located in large metropolitan areas globally.

Samoa's the rugby star, who plays for the Warriors in the league, has stated he has had negotiations involving the breakaway league.

Ryan Papenhuyzen, Zac Lomax, Haas and Gray are also said to be considering joining the new competition.

Eight major rugby union nations, including Australia, earlier imposed a ban on players joining R360 playing international matches.

“We heard our teams and we've responded strongly,” said the league's chief V'Landys.

“Sadly, there will continually be entities that seek to pirate our sport for monetary profit.

“They avoid funding in talent pipelines or the advancement of athletes. They simply exploit the efforts of existing bodies, endangering athletes of monetary damage while benefiting financially.

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

R360 is launched by ex-England star Tindall and backed by private investors.

After the potential rugby union bans were declared earlier, it said: “We seek to cooperate collaboratively as part of the international rugby schedule.

“The competition is structured with customized calendars for men's and women's teams and we will permit participants for international matches, as included in their agreements.”

R360 will seek approval for its proposals from World Rugby, union's governing body, at its official gathering in the coming year.