R360 League Players Face 10-Season Exclusion from Australia's Rugby League

Australian rugby league's governing body has declared that athletes who sign with the “rebel” R360 competition will be barred for 10 seasons.

The proposed competition, which plans to launch in late 2026, is aiming to attract athletes from both codes with lucrative deals and a condensed game calendar.

Top National Rugby League athletes have allegedly been contacted by the new league, which will involve six to eight men's sides and four women's sides operating from key urban centers globally.

Samoa's the player, who plays for New Zealand Warriors in the NRL, has said he has had talks with R360.

Papenhuyzen, Zac Lomax, Payne Haas and Jye Gray are also reported to be considering joining the rebel league.

Eight major union countries, among them Australia, last week imposed a ban on athletes signing with R360 appearing in global fixtures.

“We've listened to our clubs and we've taken firm action,” said Australian Rugby League Commission chairman the official.

“Sadly, there will continually be groups that seek to pirate our game for potential financial gain.

“They avoid funding in talent pipelines or the growth of players. They merely capitalize on the hard work of existing bodies, jeopardizing careers of economic hardship while benefiting financially.

“Essentially, they are, counterfeiting a code.”

The league is established by former England World Cup winner Tindall and backed by private investors.

Subsequent to the possible rugby union bans were declared earlier, it said: “We seek to cooperate together as a component of the worldwide fixture list.

“The event is structured with customized calendars for both genders and R360 will permit participants for global fixtures, as specified in their deals.”

The new league will apply for endorsement for its proposals from rugby union's governing body, the sport's governing body, at its board session next year.