R360 Competition Players Face 10-Year Suspension from National Rugby League

The NRL's authority has stated that athletes who enter the “rebel” R360 competition will be prohibited for a decade.

R360, scheduled to begin in October 2026, is aiming to attract players from union and league with substantial agreements and a slimmed-down game calendar.

Leading NRL stars have allegedly been contacted by R360, which will feature six to eight men's teams and women's teams based in key urban centers worldwide.

Representing Samoa Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who is with his NRL club in the NRL, has stated he has had talks with the breakaway league.

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

Eight major rugby union teams, such as Australia, earlier imposed a restriction on athletes signing with R360 appearing in global fixtures.

“We have consulted our teams and we've taken firm action,” commented ARLC head Peter V'Landys.

“Sadly, there will continually be groups that attempt to hijack our game for potential financial gain.

“They don't invest in talent pipelines or the growth of players. They merely capitalize on the dedication of existing bodies, endangering athletes of financial loss while profiting themselves.

“Essentially, they are, imitating the sport.”

R360 is launched by ex-England star Mike Tindall and backed by commercial backers.

After the potential union prohibitions were declared recently, it commented: “We seek to cooperate together as integrated into the worldwide fixture list.

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

The breakaway group will request authorization for its plans from the international authority, rugby union's administrative organization, at its council meeting next year.