R360 Competition Recruits Hit With Decade-Long Exclusion from NRL

Australian rugby league's authority has declared that participants who sign with the “counterfeit” R360 will be barred for a decade.

The proposed competition, set to start in late 2026, is hoping to draw athletes from both codes with hefty contracts and a condensed fixture list.

Prominent NRL players have reportedly been approached by the breakaway group, which will involve six or eight men's clubs and four women's sides based in key urban centers globally.

The Samoan Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who is with the Warriors in the league, has stated he has had negotiations involving the new organization.

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

A group of rugby union nations, such as Australia, last week announced a ban on R360 recruits appearing in test matches.

“We have consulted our clubs and we've responded strongly,” stated ARLC head V'Landys.

“Regrettably, there will continually be entities that seek to pirate our game for economic benefit.

“They fail to contribute in pathways or the advancement of talent. They only leverage the hard work of other organizations, jeopardizing careers of financial loss while profiting themselves.

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

R360 is established by ex-England star Mike Tindall and supported by private investors.

After the potential union bans were declared last week, it said: “We seek to cooperate together as integrated into the global rugby calendar.

“The event is arranged with bespoke schedules for both genders and we will release all players for global fixtures, as specified in their deals.”

The new league will request authorization for its proposals from rugby union's governing body, union's regulatory group, at its council meeting in 2026.