R360 Competition Players Subject to 10-Season Exclusion from National Rugby League

Rugby league's administration has announced that players who enter the “rebel” R360 competition will be prohibited for a decade.

The proposed competition, set to start in 2026, is hoping to draw rugby union and rugby league players with lucrative deals and a condensed game calendar.

Leading rugby league athletes have reportedly been approached by R360, which will involve six to eight men's teams and women's teams located in major cities around the world.

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

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

Eight major union countries, among them Australia, earlier declared a restriction on players joining R360 playing global fixtures.

“We've listened to our clubs and we've acted decisively,” stated Australian Rugby League Commission chief V'Landys.

“Regrettably, there will persistently exist entities that try to exploit our code for monetary profit.

“They fail to contribute in development systems or the development of talent. They simply exploit the efforts of others, putting players at risk of economic hardship while gaining personally.

“In truth, they represent, imitating the sport.”

The organization is co-founded by retired international Mike Tindall and backed by commercial backers.

Following the prospective union prohibitions were declared last week, it commented: “We aim to collaborate in partnership as part of the global rugby calendar.

“The competition is arranged with tailored timetables for men's and women's teams and R360 will permit participants for international matches, as written into their contracts.”

The breakaway group will seek approval for its plans from rugby union's governing body, union's governing body, at its official gathering in the coming year.