R360 League Recruits Face Decade-Long Exclusion from National Rugby League

Australian rugby league's governing body has stated that athletes who join the “breakaway” R360 will be barred for 10 seasons.

R360, which plans to launch in October 2026, is hoping to draw rugby union and rugby league players with substantial agreements and a slimmed-down game calendar.

Prominent rugby league stars have reportedly been approached by the new league, which will include six to eight men's teams and four women's teams located in major cities globally.

Samoa's Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who plays for the Warriors in the NRL, has stated he has had negotiations involving the breakaway league.

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

A group of union nations, including Australia, last week imposed a restriction on players joining R360 participating in international matches.

“We have consulted our teams and we've taken firm action,” commented Australian Rugby League Commission head Peter V'Landys.

“Unfortunately, there will continually be organizations that attempt to hijack our game for monetary profit.

“They don't invest in talent pipelines or the advancement of players. They simply exploit the hard work of existing bodies, endangering athletes of financial loss while gaining personally.

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

The organization is launched by ex-England star Mike Tindall and funded by private investors.

Subsequent to the potential union prohibitions were declared recently, it said: “We seek to cooperate collaboratively as a component of the worldwide fixture list.

“The event is structured with tailored timetables for male and female sides and R360 will permit participants for global fixtures, as specified in their agreements.”

The breakaway group will request authorization for its plans from rugby union's governing body, union's regulatory group, at its council meeting in the coming year.