R360 Competition Athletes Subject to 10-Season Ban from National Rugby League

Australian rugby league's authority has announced that participants who join the “breakaway” R360 competition will be barred for a decade.

R360, scheduled to begin in October 2026, is hoping to draw athletes from both codes with lucrative deals and a condensed playing schedule.

Prominent NRL stars have reportedly been approached by the new league, which will include six or eight men's clubs and four women's teams based in key urban centers worldwide.

Samoa's Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who plays for the Warriors in the league, has confirmed he has had talks with the breakaway league.

Ryan Papenhuyzen, Zac Lomax, Payne Haas and Gray are also believed to be weighing up offers from the new competition.

A group of rugby union nations, among them Australia, recently announced a ban on players joining R360 appearing in international matches.

“We heard our teams and we've taken firm action,” commented ARLC chief Peter V'Landys.

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

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

“They are, in reality, imitating the sport.”

The organization is launched by ex-England star Mike Tindall and backed by independent financiers.

Following the possible union sanctions were declared recently, it stated: “We seek to cooperate in partnership as a component of the global rugby calendar.

“The series is arranged with customized calendars for both genders and the organization will permit participants for test matches, as included in their deals.”

R360 will seek approval for its plans from World Rugby, union's regulatory group, at its official gathering in 2026.