R360 League Recruits Face 10-Season Exclusion from National Rugby League

The NRL's authority has stated that participants who join the “rebel” R360 will be barred for a decade.

R360, set to start in October 2026, is seeking to lure athletes from both codes with hefty contracts and a reduced game calendar.

Prominent NRL stars have reportedly received offers by the new league, which will involve six to eight men's teams and women's teams based in key urban centers worldwide.

Samoa's the rugby star, who represents New Zealand Warriors in the competition, has said he has had negotiations involving the new organization.

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

Eight major union nations, including Australia, recently imposed a restriction on athletes signing with R360 playing international matches.

“We've listened to our franchises and we've responded strongly,” commented Australian Rugby League Commission head the official.

“Sadly, there will always be organizations that seek to pirate our game for monetary profit.

“They avoid funding in development systems or the advancement of talent. They simply exploit the efforts of others, endangering athletes of economic hardship while gaining personally.

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

The organization is co-founded by former England World Cup winner Mike Tindall and backed by commercial backers.

Following the potential rugby union prohibitions were declared earlier, it commented: “We seek to cooperate together as integrated into the global rugby calendar.

“The series is designed with bespoke schedules for men's and women's teams and we will allow all athletes for international matches, as included in their agreements.”

The breakaway group will apply for endorsement for its plans from World Rugby, rugby union's regulatory group, at its official gathering in the coming year.