R360 Athletes Hit With 10-Season Ban from NRL

The NRL's governing body has announced that participants who sign with the “counterfeit” R360 league will be barred for 10 seasons.

The new league, set to start in October 2026, is hoping to draw athletes from both codes with hefty contracts and a reduced fixture list.

Top NRL players have allegedly been contacted by R360, which will include six to eight men's teams and four women's teams operating from key urban centers worldwide.

Samoa's Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who represents the Warriors in the NRL, has said he has had negotiations involving R360.

Papenhuyzen, Zac Lomax, Haas and Jye Gray are also reported to be weighing up offers from the rebel league.

A group of union nations, among them Australia, earlier declared a ban on players joining R360 participating in global fixtures.

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

“Regrettably, there will continually be groups that try to exploit our code for economic benefit.

“They don't invest in pathways or the development of players. They merely capitalize on the hard work of others, jeopardizing careers of economic hardship while profiting themselves.

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

R360 is launched by retired international Tindall and funded by independent financiers.

Subsequent to the potential union prohibitions were announced recently, it said: “We want to work collaboratively as a component of the international rugby schedule.

“The competition is structured with bespoke schedules for both genders and R360 will permit participants for international matches, as included in their agreements.”

R360 will apply for endorsement for its plans from rugby union's governing body, the sport's regulatory group, at its board session next year.