R360 League Athletes Face Decade-Long Exclusion from National Rugby League

The NRL's administration has declared that participants who enter the “rebel” R360 will be barred for 10 seasons.

R360, scheduled to begin in 2026, is seeking to lure rugby union and rugby league players with hefty contracts and a reduced fixture list.

Leading NRL players have reportedly received offers by the new league, which will involve six or eight men's clubs and four women's teams operating from major cities globally.

Representing Samoa Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who is with his NRL club in the league, has said he has had talks with R360.

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

Eight major union teams, among them Australia, recently imposed a ban on R360 recruits playing global fixtures.

“We have consulted our teams and we've taken firm action,” commented ARLC chief V'Landys.

“Unfortunately, there will continually be groups that attempt to hijack our code for potential financial gain.

“They avoid funding in pathways or the growth of players. They only leverage the hard work of existing bodies, putting players at risk of economic hardship while profiting themselves.

“Essentially, they are, copying the game.”

The league is co-founded by former England World Cup winner Mike Tindall and supported by private investors.

Subsequent to the possible rugby union prohibitions were announced earlier, it commented: “We want to work collaboratively as a component of the global rugby calendar.

“The competition is structured with customized calendars for male and female sides and we will release all players for test matches, as specified in their deals.”

The breakaway group will request authorization for its initiatives from World Rugby, rugby union's administrative organization, at its official gathering in 2026.