R360 Players Subject to Decade-Long Suspension from NRL

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

The new league, which plans to launch in October 2026, is seeking to lure players from union and league with lucrative deals and a reduced game calendar.

Leading rugby league athletes have allegedly been contacted by R360, which will involve six to eight men's clubs and four women's sides operating from key urban centers worldwide.

Samoa's the rugby star, who is with the Warriors in the NRL, has confirmed he has had negotiations involving R360.

Ryan Papenhuyzen, Lomax, Haas and Jye Gray are also said to be thinking about signing R360.

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

“We have consulted our clubs and we've taken firm action,” said Australian Rugby League Commission chairman the official.

“Sadly, there will always be entities that try to exploit our game for monetary profit.

“They don't invest in development systems or the development of players. They only leverage the efforts of existing bodies, endangering athletes of economic hardship while benefiting financially.

“They are, in reality, counterfeiting a code.”

R360 is launched by retired international Mike Tindall and backed by commercial backers.

After the possible union bans were announced last week, it stated: “We aim to collaborate in partnership as part of the global rugby calendar.

“The event is designed with tailored timetables for men's and women's teams and we will release all players for global fixtures, as included in their contracts.”

The new league will request authorization for its initiatives from the international authority, rugby union's regulatory group, at its board session in 2026.