R360 Athletes Face 10-Season Ban from Australia's Rugby League

The NRL's governing body has stated that participants who sign with the “rebel” R360 league will be barred for 10 years.

R360, scheduled to begin in October 2026, is aiming to attract athletes from both codes with hefty contracts and a condensed game calendar.

Prominent National Rugby League athletes have reportedly been approached by R360, which will involve multiple men's teams and women's teams located in key urban centers around the world.

Samoa's the rugby star, who is with New Zealand Warriors in the competition, has said he has had talks with the breakaway league.

Papenhuyzen, Lomax, Payne Haas and Gray are also believed to be thinking about signing the new competition.

A group of union nations, including Australia, recently announced a prohibition on athletes signing with R360 playing global fixtures.

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

“Unfortunately, there will always be organizations that attempt to hijack our code for monetary profit.

“They avoid funding in development systems or the growth of talent. They simply exploit the hard work of others, jeopardizing careers of monetary damage while benefiting financially.

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

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

After the possible union bans were declared earlier, it said: “We want to work collaboratively as part of the international rugby schedule.

“The competition is arranged with customized calendars for both genders and we will release all players for global fixtures, as included in their contracts.”

The breakaway group will request authorization for its proposals from rugby union's governing body, the sport's governing body, at its board session in 2026.