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

Australian rugby league's administration has announced that players who enter the “counterfeit” R360 will be barred for a decade.

R360, scheduled to begin in 2026, is aiming to attract rugby union and rugby league players with lucrative deals and a slimmed-down fixture list.

Prominent National Rugby League players have allegedly been contacted by the breakaway group, which will feature multiple men's sides and four women's teams located in large metropolitan areas around the world.

Samoa's Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who represents New Zealand Warriors in the NRL, has confirmed he has had discussions with the breakaway league.

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

Several leading rugby union countries, such as Australia, recently declared a prohibition on players joining R360 participating in global fixtures.

“We have consulted our teams and we've acted decisively,” commented ARLC head the official.

“Sadly, there will continually be entities that attempt to hijack our sport for monetary profit.

“They don't invest in talent pipelines or the advancement of players. They only leverage the dedication of others, endangering athletes of economic hardship while benefiting financially.

“Essentially, they are, imitating the sport.”

The organization is co-founded by ex-England star Tindall and funded by commercial backers.

After the prospective union sanctions were announced last week, it stated: “We want to work collaboratively as a component of the international rugby schedule.

“The series is arranged with bespoke schedules for male and female sides and the organization will permit participants for international matches, as included in their deals.”

The breakaway group will request authorization for its plans from the international authority, the sport's regulatory group, at its official gathering in 2026.