R360 Competition Recruits Subject to 10-Year Exclusion from National Rugby League

Australian rugby league's authority has stated that athletes who sign with the “counterfeit” R360 will be prohibited for 10 years.

R360, which plans to launch in October 2026, is seeking to lure players from union and league with hefty contracts and a reduced playing schedule.

Prominent rugby league athletes have reportedly received offers by R360, which will feature six to eight men's sides and women's teams located in key urban centers worldwide.

Representing Samoa the player, who is with New Zealand Warriors in the NRL, has confirmed he has had negotiations involving the breakaway league.

Papenhuyzen, Lomax, Payne Haas and Gray are also believed to be thinking about signing the new competition.

A group of rugby union nations, among them Australia, recently declared a restriction on players joining R360 playing test matches.

“We have consulted our teams and we've taken firm action,” commented the league's chief Peter V'Landys.

“Regrettably, there will continually be groups that attempt to hijack our sport for monetary profit.

“They don't invest in development systems or the development of players. They simply exploit the hard work of other organizations, endangering athletes of economic hardship while gaining personally.

“Essentially, they are, copying the game.”

R360 is established by retired international Tindall and funded by commercial backers.

After the prospective rugby union bans were declared recently, it said: “We aim to collaborate collaboratively as a component of the worldwide fixture list.

“The competition is structured with customized calendars for both genders and we will release all players for test matches, as specified in their deals.”

The breakaway group will apply for endorsement for its initiatives from rugby union's governing body, rugby union's administrative organization, at its council meeting next year.