R360 Competition Recruits Face 10-Year Exclusion from Australia's Rugby League

Rugby league's administration has announced that players who enter the “counterfeit” R360 league will be banned for 10 years.

R360, scheduled to begin in late 2026, is aiming to attract players from union and league with hefty contracts and a condensed game calendar.

Top National Rugby League athletes have reportedly received offers by R360, which will include multiple men's clubs and four women's sides operating from large metropolitan areas around the world.

The Samoan the rugby star, who plays for his NRL club in the league, has stated he has had negotiations involving R360.

Ryan Papenhuyzen, Zac Lomax, Haas and Jye Gray are also believed to be thinking about signing the rebel league.

Eight major union countries, among them Australia, earlier declared a ban on players joining R360 playing international matches.

“We've listened to our franchises and we've acted decisively,” stated the league's chief V'Landys.

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

“They avoid funding in pathways or the growth of talent. They merely capitalize on the efforts of others, endangering athletes of economic hardship while gaining personally.

“They are, in reality, copying the game.”

R360 is co-founded by former England World Cup winner Tindall and funded by commercial backers.

Subsequent to the possible rugby union prohibitions were declared last week, it commented: “We want to work in partnership as integrated into the global rugby calendar.

“The competition is structured with tailored timetables for male and female sides and the organization will release all players for global fixtures, as included in their contracts.”

The new league will apply for endorsement for its proposals from World Rugby, union's governing body, at its official gathering in 2026.