R360 Athletes Hit With 10-Season Suspension from Australia's Rugby League

The NRL's authority has declared that players who enter the “breakaway” R360 will be banned for a decade.

R360, scheduled to begin in October 2026, is aiming to attract players from union and league with lucrative deals and a reduced fixture list.

Leading rugby league players have allegedly been contacted by R360, which will include multiple men's sides and four women's sides located in large metropolitan areas worldwide.

Representing Samoa Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who is with his NRL club in the competition, has confirmed he has had talks with R360.

Ryan Papenhuyzen, Lomax, Haas and Jye Gray are also reported to be thinking about signing the new competition.

A group of rugby union teams, including Australia, last week imposed a ban on athletes signing with R360 playing international matches.

“We've listened to our clubs and we've acted decisively,” said Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V'Landys.

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

“They fail to contribute in talent pipelines or the advancement of talent. They only leverage the efforts of others, jeopardizing careers of financial loss while profiting themselves.

“In truth, they represent, copying the game.”

The league is co-founded by former England World Cup winner Mike Tindall and supported by independent financiers.

Subsequent to the possible union sanctions were announced last week, it said: “We aim to collaborate together as part of the worldwide fixture list.

“The series is arranged with tailored timetables for both genders and we will release all players for international matches, as specified in their contracts.”

R360 will apply for endorsement for its proposals from World Rugby, the sport's regulatory group, at its official gathering in 2026.