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

Australian rugby league's authority has stated that athletes who sign with the “counterfeit” R360 league will be prohibited for 10 years.

The proposed competition, scheduled to begin in late 2026, is seeking to lure rugby union and rugby league players with lucrative deals and a condensed fixture list.

Prominent rugby league athletes have allegedly been contacted by the breakaway group, which will involve six to eight men's sides and four women's teams based in key urban centers around the world.

Representing Samoa Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who is with New Zealand Warriors in the NRL, has confirmed he has had talks with the new organization.

Ryan Papenhuyzen, Zac Lomax, Haas and Gray are also said to be considering joining the new competition.

A group of union nations, among them Australia, earlier imposed a restriction on R360 recruits appearing in global fixtures.

“We have consulted our clubs and we've taken firm action,” stated the league's chairman Peter V'Landys.

“Regrettably, there will persistently exist organizations that try to exploit our sport for economic benefit.

“They fail to contribute in talent pipelines or the advancement of athletes. They only leverage the efforts of other organizations, jeopardizing careers of monetary damage while profiting themselves.

“They are, in reality, counterfeiting a code.”

The organization is launched by ex-England star Tindall and supported by commercial backers.

Subsequent to the prospective union sanctions were announced recently, it stated: “We want to work in partnership as part of the worldwide fixture list.

“The series is arranged with tailored timetables for men's and women's teams and the organization will permit participants for test matches, as written into their deals.”

The new league will request authorization for its plans from rugby union's governing body, union's administrative organization, at its board session in 2026.