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

The NRL's authority has declared that participants who sign with the “counterfeit” R360 will be barred for 10 years.

The new league, scheduled to begin in October 2026, is hoping to draw rugby union and rugby league players with hefty contracts and a condensed game calendar.

Leading National Rugby League players have allegedly been contacted by the new league, which will include six or eight men's sides and four women's sides operating from large metropolitan areas globally.

Samoa's Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who represents the Warriors in the competition, has said he has had talks with the new organization.

Papenhuyzen, Lomax, Payne Haas and Gray are also said to be thinking about signing the new competition.

A group of union countries, such as Australia, last week imposed a ban on athletes signing with R360 playing international matches.

“We heard our teams and we've acted decisively,” stated ARLC chief the official.

“Regrettably, there will persistently exist organizations that attempt to hijack our sport for economic benefit.

“They fail to contribute in talent pipelines or the advancement of athletes. They only leverage the efforts of other organizations, jeopardizing careers of economic hardship while profiting themselves.

“In truth, they represent, copying the game.”

The organization is launched by ex-England star Mike Tindall and funded by commercial backers.

After the prospective rugby union bans were declared last week, it commented: “We want to work in partnership as part of the worldwide fixture list.

“The series is structured with bespoke schedules for men's and women's teams and we will release all players for global fixtures, as specified in their contracts.”

The new league will seek approval for its proposals from the international authority, the sport's regulatory group, at its council meeting next year.