R360 League Recruits Hit With 10-Season Suspension from Australia's Rugby League

The NRL's governing body has announced that participants who enter the “rebel” R360 competition will be barred for a decade.

The proposed competition, which plans to launch in 2026, is seeking to lure athletes from both codes with lucrative deals and a condensed game calendar.

Top NRL athletes have reportedly been approached by R360, which will involve multiple men's sides and women's teams operating from major cities globally.

The Samoan Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who plays for New Zealand Warriors in the league, has stated he has had talks with the breakaway league.

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

Eight major rugby union teams, such as Australia, last week declared a ban on players joining R360 participating in global fixtures.

“We've listened to our franchises and we've responded strongly,” said ARLC chairman V'Landys.

“Regrettably, there will always be organizations that try to exploit our game for monetary profit.

“They fail to contribute in pathways or the advancement of athletes. They simply exploit the dedication of existing bodies, jeopardizing careers of financial loss while profiting themselves.

“Essentially, they are, imitating the sport.”

R360 is established by former England World Cup winner Mike Tindall and funded by independent financiers.

Subsequent to the prospective rugby union prohibitions were declared last week, it commented: “We want to work together as a component of the global rugby calendar.

“The competition is arranged with tailored timetables for male and female sides and R360 will allow all athletes for international matches, as specified in their contracts.”

R360 will seek approval for its proposals from World Rugby, the sport's regulatory group, at its board session in the coming year.