R360 Athletes Subject to 10-Season Exclusion from Australia's Rugby League

Rugby league's authority has announced that participants who join the “breakaway” R360 competition will be barred for 10 seasons.

The proposed competition, which plans to launch in 2026, is seeking to lure players from union and league with hefty contracts and a condensed fixture list.

Top rugby league players have reportedly been approached by the breakaway group, which will feature multiple men's teams and four women's sides located in large metropolitan areas worldwide.

Representing Samoa Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who is with New Zealand Warriors in the league, has stated he has had talks with R360.

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

Eight major union nations, among them Australia, last week imposed a restriction on players joining R360 appearing in global fixtures.

“We have consulted our clubs and we've taken firm action,” said ARLC chairman V'Landys.

“Regrettably, there will always be organizations that seek to pirate our sport for economic benefit.

“They don't invest in pathways or the growth of talent. They only leverage the efforts of other organizations, endangering athletes of monetary damage while profiting themselves.

“In truth, they represent, imitating the sport.”

The league is launched by retired international Tindall and funded by independent financiers.

Subsequent to the possible union prohibitions were declared earlier, it said: “We seek to cooperate collaboratively as a component of the global rugby calendar.

“The competition is arranged with tailored timetables for both genders and the organization will permit participants for test matches, as written into their contracts.”

R360 will seek approval for its proposals from rugby union's governing body, the sport's regulatory group, at its council meeting in 2026.