R360 League Athletes Face Decade-Long Exclusion from National Rugby League

Australian rugby league's authority has stated that athletes who join the “counterfeit” R360 competition will be prohibited for 10 seasons.

R360, set to start in 2026, is aiming to attract athletes from both codes with hefty contracts and a slimmed-down playing schedule.

Prominent NRL stars have reportedly received offers by the new league, which will include six or eight men's teams and four women's teams based in large metropolitan areas worldwide.

Representing Samoa the rugby star, who represents New Zealand Warriors in the competition, has stated he has had negotiations involving the new organization.

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

Several leading union teams, among them Australia, earlier declared a ban on athletes signing with R360 participating in global fixtures.

“We have consulted our teams and we've taken firm action,” stated Australian Rugby League Commission chief the official.

“Regrettably, there will always be entities that attempt to hijack our game for monetary profit.

“They fail to contribute in pathways or the development of athletes. They merely capitalize on the efforts of existing bodies, jeopardizing careers of monetary damage while gaining personally.

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

The league is co-founded by ex-England star Mike Tindall and supported by private investors.

Subsequent to the potential rugby union prohibitions were announced earlier, it said: “We seek to cooperate in partnership as integrated into the international rugby schedule.

“The series is designed with customized calendars for men's and women's teams and we will allow all athletes for international matches, as written into their contracts.”

The new league will seek approval for its initiatives from the international authority, rugby union's administrative organization, at its board session in 2026.