R360 Recruits Subject to Decade-Long Suspension from Australia's Rugby League

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

R360, which plans to launch in October 2026, is seeking to lure rugby union and rugby league players with hefty contracts and a slimmed-down playing schedule.

Leading NRL athletes have reportedly received offers by the new league, which will involve multiple men's clubs and four women's teams operating from key urban centers worldwide.

The Samoan Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who is with New Zealand Warriors in the NRL, has confirmed he has had negotiations involving the breakaway league.

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

Several leading union nations, including Australia, recently declared a ban on players joining R360 appearing in global fixtures.

“We heard our clubs and we've responded strongly,” commented the league's head the official.

“Unfortunately, there will continually be groups that try to exploit our sport for monetary profit.

“They don't invest in talent pipelines or the advancement of players. They merely capitalize on the hard work of existing bodies, endangering athletes of financial loss while profiting themselves.

“Essentially, they are, copying the game.”

The organization is launched by ex-England star Mike Tindall and supported by private investors.

Subsequent to the possible rugby union bans were revealed recently, it said: “We want to work in partnership as a component of the global rugby calendar.

“The competition is structured with bespoke schedules for both genders and R360 will release all players for test matches, as included in their agreements.”

The new league will seek approval for its plans from the international authority, union's regulatory group, at its council meeting in 2026.