R360 Competition Recruits Hit With Decade-Long Ban from NRL

Australian rugby league's authority has declared that players who sign with the “counterfeit” R360 will be barred for a decade.

R360, scheduled to begin in 2026, is hoping to draw athletes from both codes with lucrative deals and a reduced fixture list.

Prominent NRL stars have reportedly received offers by the new league, which will include multiple men's sides and four women's sides operating from major cities worldwide.

The Samoan the rugby star, who represents the Warriors in the league, has stated he has had negotiations involving the new organization.

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

A group of union nations, among them Australia, earlier announced a restriction on athletes signing with R360 appearing in test matches.

“We've listened to our clubs and we've taken firm action,” said ARLC head V'Landys.

“Unfortunately, there will always be entities that seek to pirate our game for monetary profit.

“They don't invest in pathways or the growth of athletes. They only leverage the hard work of other organizations, jeopardizing careers of financial loss while gaining personally.

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

R360 is launched by retired international Mike Tindall and backed by independent financiers.

After the possible union bans were announced last week, it stated: “We aim to collaborate together as integrated into the worldwide fixture list.

“The event is designed with tailored timetables for men's and women's teams and the organization will release all players for test matches, as written into their deals.”

R360 will seek approval for its initiatives from World Rugby, the sport's governing body, at its board session in the coming year.