R360 Competition Players Subject to Decade-Long Exclusion from Australia's Rugby League

The NRL's authority has announced that players who join the “rebel” R360 competition will be prohibited for a decade.

The new league, scheduled to begin in late 2026, is hoping to draw players from union and league with substantial agreements and a slimmed-down game calendar.

Leading National Rugby League athletes have reportedly received offers by the breakaway group, which will include six to eight men's sides and women's teams based in key urban centers globally.

The Samoan the player, who represents the Warriors in the league, has confirmed he has had talks with the breakaway league.

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

Eight major rugby union nations, including Australia, earlier announced a ban on players joining R360 participating in test matches.

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

“Sadly, there will always be organizations that seek to pirate our sport for potential financial gain.

“They fail to contribute in talent pipelines or the development of athletes. They simply exploit the hard work of existing bodies, endangering athletes of monetary damage while benefiting financially.

“They are, in reality, copying the game.”

The league is established by ex-England star Mike Tindall and backed by commercial backers.

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

“The competition is designed with bespoke schedules for male and female sides and R360 will permit participants for international matches, as included in their agreements.”

The new league will seek approval for its plans from the international authority, the sport's regulatory group, at its board session next year.