R360 League Players Subject to Decade-Long Ban from National Rugby League

Australian rugby league's governing body has declared that participants who sign with the “rebel” R360 will be barred for a decade.

The proposed competition, set to start in October 2026, is seeking to lure players from union and league with hefty contracts and a slimmed-down fixture list.

Prominent National Rugby League stars have allegedly been contacted by R360, which will involve six or eight men's teams and four women's sides located in key urban centers globally.

Samoa's the rugby star, who represents New Zealand Warriors in the NRL, has said he has had negotiations involving R360.

Ryan Papenhuyzen, Zac Lomax, Haas and Jye Gray are also said to be weighing up offers from R360.

A group of rugby union countries, among them Australia, recently declared a prohibition on athletes signing with R360 appearing in global fixtures.

“We have consulted our clubs and we've acted decisively,” commented ARLC chief V'Landys.

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

“They fail to contribute in talent pipelines or the growth of talent. They simply exploit the hard work of others, jeopardizing careers of economic hardship while gaining personally.

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

The league is co-founded by ex-England star Mike Tindall and backed by private investors.

Following the prospective rugby union bans were revealed last week, it stated: “We seek to cooperate in partnership as a component of the global rugby calendar.

“The series is structured with bespoke schedules for male and female sides and we will permit participants for global fixtures, as written into their contracts.”

The new league will seek approval for its plans from the international authority, the sport's governing body, at its council meeting in 2026.