R360 Players Hit With Decade-Long Exclusion from National Rugby League

The NRL's authority has announced that players who join the “rebel” R360 league will be banned for a decade.

R360, which plans to launch in late 2026, is hoping to draw players from union and league with substantial agreements and a reduced playing schedule.

Top NRL athletes have reportedly received offers by R360, which will include six or eight men's sides and women's teams operating from key urban centers worldwide.

Representing Samoa the rugby star, who is with New Zealand Warriors in the NRL, has confirmed he has had discussions with the breakaway league.

Papenhuyzen, Lomax, Haas and Jye Gray are also said to be thinking about signing R360.

Eight major rugby union teams, including Australia, earlier declared a restriction on players joining R360 appearing in test matches.

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

“Unfortunately, there will continually be entities that attempt to hijack our sport for monetary profit.

“They avoid funding in development systems or the advancement of athletes. They merely capitalize on the efforts of other organizations, putting players at risk of monetary damage while benefiting financially.

“They are, in reality, imitating the sport.”

R360 is launched by former England World Cup winner Mike Tindall and supported by independent financiers.

After the prospective union prohibitions were announced last week, it said: “We want to work in partnership as integrated into the worldwide fixture list.

“The event is arranged with tailored timetables for men's and women's teams and R360 will allow all athletes for international matches, as written into their agreements.”

R360 will seek approval for its proposals from rugby union's governing body, union's regulatory group, at its board session in 2026.