R360 Recruits Subject to 10-Season Suspension from NRL

Australian rugby league's governing body has declared that athletes who sign with the “breakaway” R360 competition will be prohibited for a decade.

The proposed competition, scheduled to begin in late 2026, is aiming to attract rugby union and rugby league players with hefty contracts and a slimmed-down playing schedule.

Leading National Rugby League players have reportedly received offers by the new league, which will feature six to eight men's clubs and four women's sides based in major cities worldwide.

Representing Samoa Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who represents his NRL club in the league, has confirmed he has had negotiations involving R360.

Papenhuyzen, Zac Lomax, Payne Haas and Jye Gray are also said to be weighing up offers from the rebel league.

A group of rugby union teams, among them Australia, earlier imposed a restriction on R360 recruits playing test matches.

“We've listened to our teams and we've taken firm action,” stated the league's head Peter V'Landys.

“Unfortunately, there will persistently exist organizations that seek to pirate our sport for potential financial gain.

“They fail to contribute in pathways or the advancement of athletes. They merely capitalize on the hard work of other organizations, jeopardizing careers of financial loss while benefiting financially.

“They are, in reality, counterfeiting a code.”

The league is established by retired international Tindall and funded by commercial backers.

Subsequent to the prospective union sanctions were announced last week, it said: “We want to work in partnership as integrated into the worldwide fixture list.

“The event is structured with tailored timetables for both genders and R360 will allow all athletes for global fixtures, as specified in their deals.”

The breakaway group will request authorization for its proposals from rugby union's governing body, union's administrative organization, at its official gathering in the coming year.