R360 Recruits Hit With 10-Year Suspension from National Rugby League

Australian rugby league's administration has announced that athletes who join the “rebel” R360 competition will be barred for a decade.

The proposed competition, which plans to launch in October 2026, is seeking to lure athletes from both codes with hefty contracts and a slimmed-down playing schedule.

Leading National Rugby League stars have allegedly been contacted by the new league, which will include six or eight men's clubs and women's teams located in large metropolitan areas globally.

The Samoan the rugby star, who plays for the Warriors in the NRL, has said he has had negotiations involving the new organization.

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

A group of rugby union nations, such as Australia, earlier declared a ban on athletes signing with R360 participating in test matches.

“We heard our clubs and we've taken firm action,” commented the league's chairman V'Landys.

“Sadly, there will always be organizations that try to exploit our sport for economic benefit.

“They fail to contribute in pathways or the development of talent. They simply exploit the dedication of other organizations, jeopardizing careers of monetary damage while gaining personally.

“They are, in reality, counterfeiting a code.”

R360 is launched by former England World Cup winner Tindall and backed by independent financiers.

Following the prospective union bans were announced earlier, it stated: “We want to work in partnership as integrated into the international rugby schedule.

“The competition is designed with customized calendars for men's and women's teams and we will permit participants for international matches, as written into their deals.”

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