R360 Competition Athletes Hit With 10-Year Suspension from National Rugby League

Australian rugby league's governing body has announced that participants who enter the “breakaway” R360 will be prohibited for a decade.

The proposed competition, scheduled to begin in late 2026, is aiming to attract players from union and league with substantial agreements and a slimmed-down fixture list.

Prominent NRL stars have reportedly been approached by the breakaway group, which will include six to eight men's sides and four women's teams located in large metropolitan areas globally.

The Samoan Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who represents the Warriors in the league, has confirmed he has had negotiations involving the breakaway league.

Papenhuyzen, Zac Lomax, Payne Haas and Gray are also reported to be thinking about signing R360.

Several leading rugby union teams, among them Australia, last week announced a restriction on players joining R360 playing global fixtures.

“We've listened to our clubs and we've taken firm action,” commented the league's chief V'Landys.

“Regrettably, there will continually be entities that try to exploit our sport for monetary profit.

“They fail to contribute in development systems or the development of athletes. They only leverage the hard work of others, putting players at risk of economic hardship while benefiting financially.

“In truth, they represent, counterfeiting a code.”

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

Following the potential rugby union bans were announced recently, it stated: “We aim to collaborate in partnership as part of the worldwide fixture list.

“The series is arranged with tailored timetables for male and female sides and R360 will allow all athletes for global fixtures, as written into their contracts.”

The new league will request authorization for its proposals from the international authority, rugby union's regulatory group, at its council meeting in the coming year.