R360 Competition Athletes Hit With Decade-Long Exclusion from Australia's Rugby League

Australian rugby league's administration has stated that athletes who sign with the “rebel” R360 competition will be banned for 10 years.

The proposed competition, set to start in late 2026, is aiming to attract athletes from both codes with substantial agreements and a condensed game calendar.

Leading National Rugby League athletes have reportedly been approached by the new league, which will involve six or eight men's teams and four women's sides operating from large metropolitan areas around the world.

The Samoan the player, who plays for New Zealand Warriors in the NRL, has stated he has had talks with the breakaway league.

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

Several leading union teams, among them Australia, earlier declared a prohibition on players joining R360 appearing in global fixtures.

“We have consulted our franchises and we've acted decisively,” commented ARLC head the official.

“Sadly, there will continually be organizations that seek to pirate our sport for economic benefit.

“They don't invest in pathways or the advancement of players. They merely capitalize on the efforts of existing bodies, putting players at risk of financial loss while profiting themselves.

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

The league is established by former England World Cup winner Tindall and backed by private investors.

After the possible rugby union prohibitions were declared recently, it stated: “We seek to cooperate together as integrated into the international rugby schedule.

“The competition is designed with customized calendars for men's and women's teams and the organization will release all players for test matches, as included in their deals.”

R360 will seek approval for its initiatives from the international authority, rugby union's administrative organization, at its council meeting in the coming year.