R360 Competition Recruits Hit With 10-Year Exclusion from NRL

Australian rugby league's governing body has declared that participants who join the “breakaway” R360 league will be barred for a decade.

The proposed competition, scheduled to begin in late 2026, is aiming to attract rugby union and rugby league players with substantial agreements and a condensed game calendar.

Leading NRL players have allegedly been contacted by R360, which will include six to eight men's clubs and four women's sides based in major cities worldwide.

Representing Samoa the rugby star, who is with his NRL club in the competition, has stated he has had discussions with the breakaway league.

Papenhuyzen, Zac Lomax, Payne Haas and Jye Gray are also said to be considering joining the new competition.

A group of rugby union nations, such as Australia, recently imposed a prohibition on athletes signing with R360 playing global fixtures.

“We have consulted our teams and we've responded strongly,” commented Australian Rugby League Commission chief Peter V'Landys.

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

“They avoid funding in development systems or the advancement of players. They merely capitalize on the dedication of others, jeopardizing careers of monetary damage while benefiting financially.

“Essentially, they are, imitating the sport.”

R360 is established by former England World Cup winner Mike Tindall and backed by commercial backers.

Subsequent to the possible rugby union bans were announced last week, it stated: “We want to work in partnership as a component of the worldwide fixture list.

“The event is designed with bespoke schedules for men's and women's teams and R360 will allow all athletes for global fixtures, as included in their contracts.”

The breakaway group will request authorization for its proposals from World Rugby, union's governing body, at its council meeting in 2026.