R360 League Athletes Hit With 10-Year Ban from National Rugby League

Australian rugby league's administration has announced that players who enter the “counterfeit” R360 will be banned for a decade.

The proposed competition, which plans to launch in October 2026, is seeking to lure rugby union and rugby league players with substantial agreements and a condensed fixture list.

Leading National Rugby League stars have allegedly been contacted by the breakaway group, which will include six to eight men's teams and four women's sides operating from large metropolitan areas around the world.

The Samoan Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who represents New Zealand Warriors in the competition, has said he has had negotiations involving R360.

Ryan Papenhuyzen, Lomax, Payne Haas and Jye Gray are also reported to be thinking about signing R360.

Eight major rugby union teams, among them Australia, recently declared a ban on athletes signing with R360 playing test matches.

“We heard our franchises and we've acted decisively,” stated ARLC chief Peter V'Landys.

“Unfortunately, there will always be groups that seek to pirate our code for potential financial gain.

“They avoid funding in talent pipelines or the development of players. They merely capitalize on the efforts of others, putting players at risk of financial loss while gaining personally.

“In truth, they represent, counterfeiting a code.”

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

Subsequent to the potential rugby union bans were announced earlier, it said: “We want to work in partnership as integrated into the international rugby schedule.

“The competition is structured with tailored timetables for both genders and we will release all players for test matches, as specified in their deals.”

The new league will seek approval for its proposals from World Rugby, rugby union's regulatory group, at its official gathering in 2026.