R360 Players Hit With 10-Year Ban from National Rugby League

Rugby league's authority has announced that athletes who join the “rebel” R360 league will be banned for 10 seasons.

The new league, which plans to launch in 2026, is hoping to draw players from union and league with lucrative deals and a slimmed-down game calendar.

Leading rugby league stars have allegedly been contacted by R360, which will feature six or eight men's clubs and women's teams located in key urban centers globally.

The Samoan Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who plays for his NRL club in the competition, has stated he has had negotiations involving the new organization.

Ryan Papenhuyzen, Lomax, Payne Haas and Jye Gray are also reported to be considering joining the new competition.

Eight major rugby union countries, including Australia, earlier announced a prohibition on players joining R360 participating in global fixtures.

“We heard our franchises and we've acted decisively,” commented the league's chairman V'Landys.

“Regrettably, there will persistently exist organizations that seek to pirate our sport for potential financial gain.

“They avoid funding in pathways or the advancement of players. They merely capitalize on the dedication of other organizations, endangering athletes of financial loss while profiting themselves.

“Essentially, they are, copying the game.”

The league is co-founded by former England World Cup winner Tindall and funded by independent financiers.

Subsequent to the prospective union prohibitions were revealed earlier, it commented: “We want to work together as integrated into the global rugby calendar.

“The competition is arranged with customized calendars for male and female sides and the organization will allow all athletes for international matches, as included in their agreements.”

The breakaway group will apply for endorsement for its proposals from rugby union's governing body, union's governing body, at its official gathering in 2026.