R360 Players Hit With Decade-Long Suspension from Australia's Rugby League

The NRL's authority has announced that athletes who enter the “rebel” R360 will be prohibited for a decade.

The proposed competition, set to start in 2026, is aiming to attract rugby union and rugby league players with lucrative deals and a condensed game calendar.

Prominent rugby league players have allegedly been contacted by the new league, which will involve six to eight men's clubs and four women's teams located in major cities globally.

Representing Samoa the rugby star, who represents his NRL club in the league, has confirmed he has had discussions with R360.

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

A group of rugby union nations, such as Australia, last week announced a prohibition on players joining R360 appearing in international matches.

“We have consulted our franchises and we've acted decisively,” commented ARLC chairman Peter V'Landys.

“Sadly, there will always be groups that attempt to hijack our sport for potential financial gain.

“They avoid funding in development systems or the advancement of talent. They simply exploit the efforts of existing bodies, putting players at risk of economic hardship while gaining personally.

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

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

After the potential union prohibitions were announced recently, it commented: “We want to work together as integrated into the worldwide fixture list.

“The event is structured with bespoke schedules for male and female sides and the organization will release all players for global fixtures, as specified in their deals.”

The new league will request authorization for its proposals from rugby union's governing body, rugby union's regulatory group, at its official gathering in the coming year.