R360 League Athletes Subject to Decade-Long Exclusion from Australia's Rugby League

Australian rugby league's governing body has declared that participants who enter the “rebel” R360 league will be prohibited for 10 seasons.

The proposed competition, which plans to launch in late 2026, is seeking to lure players from union and league with substantial agreements and a reduced playing schedule.

Prominent NRL players have reportedly received offers by R360, which will feature six or eight men's clubs and four women's teams based in key urban centers worldwide.

Representing Samoa the rugby star, who is with New Zealand Warriors in the league, has stated he has had negotiations involving the new organization.

Papenhuyzen, Lomax, Payne Haas and Jye Gray are also believed to be thinking about signing the rebel league.

Several leading rugby union countries, such as Australia, earlier imposed a prohibition on athletes signing with R360 playing international matches.

“We've listened to our franchises and we've acted decisively,” commented ARLC chairman Peter V'Landys.

“Regrettably, there will continually be organizations that try to exploit our sport for potential financial gain.

“They don't invest in pathways or the advancement of players. They only leverage the dedication of existing bodies, endangering athletes of financial loss while gaining personally.

“Essentially, they are, copying the game.”

The organization is launched by retired international Mike Tindall and supported by independent financiers.

After the potential rugby union prohibitions were declared last week, it commented: “We seek to cooperate collaboratively as integrated into the worldwide fixture list.

“The series is designed with tailored timetables for men's and women's teams and R360 will permit participants for test matches, as specified in their agreements.”

R360 will seek approval for its plans from rugby union's governing body, the sport's regulatory group, at its board session next year.