R360 Athletes Subject to 10-Season Exclusion from National Rugby League

Australian rugby league's administration has declared that players who join the “rebel” R360 competition will be prohibited for 10 seasons.

R360, scheduled to begin in late 2026, is aiming to attract athletes from both codes with hefty contracts and a condensed fixture list.

Prominent NRL athletes have reportedly been approached by R360, which will include six or eight men's clubs and four women's sides operating from major cities worldwide.

The Samoan the rugby star, who is with his NRL club in the league, has said he has had negotiations involving R360.

Papenhuyzen, Lomax, Haas and Jye Gray are also believed to be thinking about signing the rebel league.

Eight major union countries, including Australia, earlier announced a restriction on athletes signing with R360 playing test matches.

“We've listened to our clubs and we've responded strongly,” commented the league's head Peter V'Landys.

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

“They fail to contribute in development systems or the development of players. They simply exploit the hard work of other organizations, jeopardizing careers of monetary damage while benefiting financially.

“Essentially, they are, counterfeiting a code.”

The organization is co-founded by retired international Mike Tindall and supported by independent financiers.

Following the prospective rugby union bans were announced last week, it commented: “We want to work collaboratively as part of the international rugby schedule.

“The event is structured with tailored timetables for male and female sides and R360 will release all players for global fixtures, as specified in their deals.”

R360 will request authorization for its proposals from the international authority, the sport's regulatory group, at its official gathering in 2026.