R360 League Athletes Subject to Decade-Long Ban from National Rugby League

The NRL's governing body has stated that participants who enter the “counterfeit” R360 competition will be prohibited for a decade.

R360, scheduled to begin in 2026, is hoping to draw athletes from both codes with hefty contracts and a condensed playing schedule.

Top rugby league athletes have reportedly been approached by R360, which will include six or eight men's clubs and four women's sides located in major cities around the world.

Samoa's Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who is with his NRL club in the league, has stated he has had discussions with R360.

Ryan Papenhuyzen, Lomax, Haas and Gray are also believed to be weighing up offers from R360.

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

“We heard our franchises and we've acted decisively,” said the league's chairman V'Landys.

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

“They avoid funding in talent pipelines or the growth of players. They simply exploit the efforts of other organizations, putting players at risk of monetary damage while benefiting financially.

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

The organization is established by former England World Cup winner Tindall and supported by independent financiers.

Subsequent to the prospective rugby union sanctions were declared last week, it commented: “We want to work collaboratively as part of the international rugby schedule.

“The event is structured with tailored timetables for men's and women's teams and the organization will release all players for test matches, as specified in their agreements.”

R360 will request authorization for its initiatives from World Rugby, the sport's regulatory group, at its board session next year.