R360 League Players Subject to 10-Season Exclusion from NRL

Australian rugby league's governing body has declared that players who join the “counterfeit” R360 league will be prohibited for 10 seasons.

The new league, scheduled to begin in 2026, is hoping to draw athletes from both codes with substantial agreements and a slimmed-down game calendar.

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

Representing Samoa the rugby star, who represents New Zealand Warriors in the NRL, has said he has had discussions with R360.

Papenhuyzen, Lomax, Haas and Gray are also believed to be thinking about signing the rebel league.

A group of rugby union teams, among them Australia, last week announced a restriction on athletes signing with R360 playing test matches.

“We've listened to our clubs and we've taken firm action,” said ARLC head V'Landys.

“Sadly, there will persistently exist entities that seek to pirate our sport for monetary profit.

“They avoid funding in pathways or the development of athletes. They only leverage the efforts of other organizations, endangering athletes of financial loss while profiting themselves.

“Essentially, they are, copying the game.”

The league is established by former England World Cup winner Tindall and funded by independent financiers.

After the potential rugby union bans were declared recently, it stated: “We seek to cooperate in partnership as integrated into the worldwide fixture list.

“The series is arranged with tailored timetables for male and female sides and we will allow all athletes for international matches, as specified in their contracts.”

The breakaway group will apply for endorsement for its initiatives from rugby union's governing body, union's regulatory group, at its board session in 2026.