R360 Athletes Face Decade-Long Exclusion from National Rugby League

The NRL's administration has announced that athletes who enter the “counterfeit” R360 competition will be prohibited for a decade.

The new league, scheduled to begin in 2026, is aiming to attract athletes from both codes with substantial agreements and a condensed fixture list.

Leading rugby league athletes have reportedly received offers by R360, which will include six or eight men's clubs and four women's sides operating from large metropolitan areas worldwide.

Representing Samoa Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who is with his NRL club in the league, has confirmed he has had negotiations involving the new organization.

Ryan Papenhuyzen, Zac Lomax, Haas and Gray are also reported to be weighing up offers from the rebel league.

A group of rugby union countries, including Australia, recently declared a prohibition on R360 recruits playing global fixtures.

“We've listened to our clubs and we've responded strongly,” stated the league's head V'Landys.

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

“They don't invest in development systems or the growth of talent. They only leverage the hard work of existing bodies, jeopardizing careers of financial loss while gaining personally.

“In truth, they represent, counterfeiting a code.”

The league is launched by ex-England star Mike Tindall and backed by commercial backers.

Subsequent to the prospective rugby union sanctions were declared last week, it commented: “We seek to cooperate collaboratively as a component of the global rugby calendar.

“The competition is designed with customized calendars for men's and women's teams and R360 will permit participants for test matches, as included in their contracts.”

The new league will apply for endorsement for its plans from rugby union's governing body, rugby union's regulatory group, at its official gathering in 2026.