R360 Competition Players Hit With Decade-Long Suspension from National Rugby League

Rugby league's governing body has announced that players who join the “counterfeit” R360 will be barred for 10 seasons.

The new league, scheduled to begin in 2026, is seeking to lure athletes from both codes with hefty contracts and a reduced playing schedule.

Leading National Rugby League players have reportedly received offers by R360, which will include six to eight men's teams and four women's teams located in large metropolitan areas around the world.

Samoa's Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who represents his NRL club in the NRL, has confirmed he has had talks with the breakaway league.

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

Eight major union countries, such as Australia, recently declared a ban on athletes signing with R360 appearing in global fixtures.

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

“Unfortunately, there will persistently exist entities that seek to pirate our sport for economic benefit.

“They fail to contribute in talent pipelines or the growth of talent. They merely capitalize on the hard work of existing bodies, putting players at risk of monetary damage while gaining personally.

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

The league is co-founded by former England World Cup winner Tindall and backed by private investors.

Following the prospective rugby union prohibitions were announced recently, it stated: “We seek to cooperate in partnership as a component of the global rugby calendar.

“The event is designed with bespoke schedules for men's and women's teams and the organization will permit participants for international matches, as specified in their contracts.”

The breakaway group will request authorization for its plans from rugby union's governing body, rugby union's regulatory group, at its board session in 2026.