R360 League Recruits Subject to 10-Season Suspension from National Rugby League

The NRL's administration has declared that athletes who enter the “breakaway” R360 will be barred for a decade.

R360, scheduled to begin in 2026, is hoping to draw rugby union and rugby league players with substantial agreements and a reduced fixture list.

Top rugby league players have reportedly received offers by the breakaway group, which will feature six to eight men's sides and four women's sides based in key urban centers worldwide.

Samoa's the player, who is with the Warriors in the league, has confirmed he has had negotiations involving the new organization.

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

Eight major rugby union countries, among them Australia, recently announced a prohibition on R360 recruits participating in international matches.

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

“Regrettably, there will always be organizations that seek to pirate our code for potential financial gain.

“They fail to contribute in development systems or the advancement of players. They only leverage the efforts of other organizations, endangering athletes of economic hardship while gaining personally.

“Essentially, they are, counterfeiting a code.”

The organization is co-founded by retired international Mike Tindall and backed by independent financiers.

Subsequent to the potential rugby union bans were declared earlier, it stated: “We aim to collaborate collaboratively as integrated into the worldwide fixture list.

“The event is structured with customized calendars for men's and women's teams and we will allow all athletes for test matches, as written into their deals.”

The new league will seek approval for its plans from the international authority, rugby union's governing body, at its official gathering in 2026.