R360 Players Face 10-Season Exclusion from Australia's Rugby League

Australian rugby league's governing body has announced that players who sign with the “rebel” R360 league will be prohibited for 10 seasons.

The proposed competition, scheduled to begin in 2026, is hoping to draw rugby union and rugby league players with substantial agreements and a slimmed-down fixture list.

Prominent National Rugby League stars have reportedly been approached by the new league, which will include six or eight men's clubs and four women's sides located in major cities around the world.

Samoa's the rugby star, 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 said to be weighing up offers from the new competition.

Eight major rugby union countries, such as Australia, recently announced a ban on athletes signing with R360 playing test matches.

“We've listened to our teams and we've taken firm action,” said Australian Rugby League Commission head Peter V'Landys.

“Regrettably, there will continually be groups that seek to pirate our code for potential financial gain.

“They fail to contribute in development systems or the advancement of players. They simply exploit the dedication of other organizations, endangering athletes of economic hardship while profiting themselves.

“Essentially, they are, counterfeiting a code.”

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

Following the potential rugby union bans were revealed earlier, it commented: “We want to work collaboratively as part of the global rugby calendar.

“The competition is structured with bespoke schedules for male and female sides and the organization will allow all athletes for test matches, as written into their contracts.”

The new league will apply for endorsement for its initiatives from the international authority, union's regulatory group, at its board session in the coming year.