R360 Players Face Decade-Long Ban from National Rugby League

The NRL's authority has announced that players who sign with the “breakaway” R360 will be prohibited for a decade.

The new league, which plans to launch in October 2026, is hoping to draw players from union and league with substantial agreements and a condensed playing schedule.

Prominent National Rugby League players have reportedly received offers by the breakaway group, which will include multiple men's clubs and four women's sides operating from large metropolitan areas around the world.

Samoa's the player, who plays for his NRL club in the league, has confirmed he has had talks with the breakaway league.

Papenhuyzen, Zac Lomax, Haas and Jye Gray are also reported to be weighing up offers from R360.

A group of union nations, among them Australia, earlier imposed a prohibition on athletes signing with R360 appearing in test matches.

“We heard our clubs and we've responded strongly,” said ARLC head V'Landys.

“Regrettably, there will continually be groups that seek to pirate our game for economic benefit.

“They avoid funding in talent pipelines or the development of talent. They only leverage the dedication of others, putting players at risk of economic hardship while benefiting financially.

“Essentially, they are, counterfeiting a code.”

The league is co-founded by ex-England star Tindall and funded by commercial backers.

After the possible rugby union sanctions were declared recently, it said: “We seek to cooperate collaboratively as part of the worldwide fixture list.

“The series is designed with bespoke schedules for male and female sides and R360 will release all players for test matches, as written into their contracts.”

R360 will request authorization for its initiatives from World Rugby, rugby union's regulatory group, at its board session next year.