R360 Players Subject to 10-Season Suspension from Australia's Rugby League

The NRL's governing body has stated that participants who enter the “breakaway” R360 competition will be prohibited for 10 years.

The proposed competition, which plans to launch in 2026, is aiming to attract players from union and league with lucrative deals and a reduced game calendar.

Prominent NRL athletes have reportedly been approached by the breakaway group, which will feature six or eight men's teams and four women's teams operating from large metropolitan areas globally.

Samoa's Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who represents his NRL club in the league, has said he has had talks with R360.

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

Several leading rugby union teams, including Australia, recently imposed a prohibition on athletes signing with R360 playing global fixtures.

“We've listened to our clubs and we've acted decisively,” stated ARLC chief V'Landys.

“Regrettably, there will continually be entities that seek to pirate our game for monetary profit.

“They fail to contribute in talent pipelines or the growth of athletes. They simply exploit the efforts of other organizations, endangering athletes of monetary damage while profiting themselves.

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

The organization is co-founded by retired international Tindall and backed by commercial backers.

After the potential rugby union sanctions were declared last week, it stated: “We aim to collaborate in partnership as part of the worldwide fixture list.

“The series is structured with customized calendars for both genders and the organization will release all players for international matches, as included in their deals.”

R360 will seek approval for its initiatives from World Rugby, the sport's regulatory group, at its council meeting next year.