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

Australian rugby league's administration has announced that players who sign with the “counterfeit” R360 league will be barred for 10 seasons.

The proposed competition, set to start in October 2026, is aiming to attract athletes from both codes with lucrative deals and a slimmed-down game calendar.

Leading rugby league players have allegedly been contacted by the breakaway group, which will feature multiple men's teams and four women's teams located in major cities worldwide.

Representing Samoa the rugby star, who represents New Zealand Warriors in the NRL, has stated he has had discussions with R360.

Ryan Papenhuyzen, Lomax, Haas and Jye Gray are also reported to be considering joining R360.

Eight major union teams, including Australia, last week announced a restriction on players joining R360 appearing in international matches.

“We heard our franchises and we've responded strongly,” stated Australian Rugby League Commission chief V'Landys.

“Sadly, there will always be groups that attempt to hijack our game for monetary profit.

“They fail to contribute in development systems or the development of talent. They simply exploit the efforts of other organizations, jeopardizing careers of economic hardship while gaining personally.

“They are, in reality, copying the game.”

The organization is established by former England World Cup winner Mike Tindall and supported by private investors.

Following the prospective rugby union bans were announced earlier, it commented: “We want to work collaboratively as part of the worldwide fixture list.

“The competition is structured with bespoke schedules for male and female sides and the organization will allow all athletes for test matches, as specified in their agreements.”

The new league will apply for endorsement for its initiatives from the international authority, the sport's administrative organization, at its official gathering in the coming year.