R360 League Recruits Subject to Decade-Long Ban from NRL

Rugby league's governing body has announced that athletes who join the “counterfeit” R360 league will be banned for a decade.

R360, scheduled to begin in 2026, is seeking to lure rugby union and rugby league players with lucrative deals and a slimmed-down game calendar.

Leading NRL stars have reportedly been approached by the breakaway group, which will include multiple men's sides and four women's sides operating from large metropolitan areas worldwide.

Samoa's the rugby star, who is with the Warriors in the NRL, has confirmed he has had negotiations involving R360.

Ryan Papenhuyzen, Lomax, Haas and Gray are also reported to be considering joining the rebel league.

Eight major union countries, such as Australia, recently announced a prohibition on players joining R360 participating in international matches.

“We heard our franchises and we've responded strongly,” said ARLC chief the official.

“Unfortunately, there will always be groups that seek to pirate our game for potential financial gain.

“They avoid funding in talent pipelines or the advancement of athletes. They simply exploit the efforts of other organizations, jeopardizing careers of financial loss while benefiting financially.

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

The organization is co-founded by ex-England star Mike Tindall and supported by commercial backers.

Following the possible union sanctions were declared recently, it commented: “We seek to cooperate together as a component of the international rugby schedule.

“The competition is designed with bespoke schedules for both genders and the organization will release all players for global fixtures, as included in their contracts.”

R360 will request authorization for its initiatives from World Rugby, the sport's regulatory group, at its council meeting in the coming year.