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

Rugby league's governing body has declared that players who join the “rebel” R360 competition will be prohibited for 10 seasons.

The new league, scheduled to begin in October 2026, is seeking to lure players from union and league with hefty contracts and a slimmed-down fixture list.

Top NRL athletes have reportedly been approached by the breakaway group, which will feature six or eight men's sides and four women's teams based in large metropolitan areas globally.

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

Ryan Papenhuyzen, Lomax, Payne Haas and Gray are also reported to be thinking about signing the rebel league.

A group of union nations, such as Australia, recently announced a restriction on R360 recruits participating in global fixtures.

“We've listened to our clubs and we've responded strongly,” stated Australian Rugby League Commission chief V'Landys.

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

“They avoid funding in development systems or the development of players. They simply exploit the efforts of existing bodies, endangering athletes of monetary damage while benefiting financially.

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

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

Following the potential rugby union prohibitions were announced last week, it stated: “We want to work together as integrated into the worldwide fixture list.

“The competition is designed with tailored timetables for male and female sides and R360 will release all players for test matches, as included in their contracts.”

The breakaway group will request authorization for its initiatives from the international authority, the sport's governing body, at its council meeting next year.