R360 League Athletes Face 10-Season Suspension from National Rugby League

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

R360, which plans to launch in October 2026, is aiming to attract rugby union and rugby league players with hefty contracts and a condensed playing schedule.

Prominent National Rugby League athletes have reportedly been approached by R360, which will include six to eight men's sides and four women's teams based in major cities around the world.

The Samoan the player, who is with New Zealand Warriors in the league, has said he has had talks with the new organization.

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

A group of union teams, including Australia, earlier announced a restriction on players joining R360 participating in international matches.

“We have consulted our franchises and we've taken firm action,” stated the league's head Peter V'Landys.

“Regrettably, there will persistently exist entities that attempt to hijack our game for monetary profit.

“They fail to contribute in talent pipelines or the advancement of athletes. They simply exploit the hard work of others, jeopardizing careers of monetary damage while benefiting financially.

“They are, in reality, imitating the sport.”

The league is launched by ex-England star Mike Tindall and funded by independent financiers.

After the possible rugby union bans were announced earlier, it stated: “We want to work collaboratively as part of the worldwide fixture list.

“The series is designed with customized calendars for both genders and R360 will allow all athletes for global fixtures, as included in their deals.”

The new league will request authorization for its initiatives from the international authority, the sport's administrative organization, at its board session in 2026.