R360 Players Subject to 10-Year Ban from Australia's Rugby League

Australian rugby league's governing body has declared that participants who sign with the “breakaway” R360 league will be barred for a decade.

The new league, which plans to launch in 2026, is hoping to draw players from union and league with hefty contracts and a slimmed-down playing schedule.

Top rugby league athletes have reportedly received offers by the breakaway group, which will include six or eight men's sides and four women's teams based in key urban centers worldwide.

Samoa's Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who represents his NRL club in the NRL, has stated he has had talks with the new organization.

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

A group of rugby union nations, including Australia, earlier announced a restriction on athletes signing with R360 appearing in global fixtures.

“We've listened to our franchises and we've responded strongly,” stated Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V'Landys.

“Unfortunately, there will continually be organizations that seek to pirate our game for monetary profit.

“They avoid funding in talent pipelines or the development of athletes. They simply exploit the hard work of others, jeopardizing careers of economic hardship while gaining personally.

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

R360 is established by former England World Cup winner Tindall and supported by commercial backers.

Subsequent to the possible rugby union prohibitions were announced earlier, it said: “We want to work in partnership as integrated into the international rugby schedule.

“The event is structured with customized calendars for both genders and R360 will release all players for global fixtures, as specified in their contracts.”

The new league will apply for endorsement for its plans from the international authority, the sport's regulatory group, at its official gathering in 2026.