R360 Competition Athletes Hit With 10-Year Exclusion from NRL

The NRL's governing body has announced that players who enter the “rebel” R360 will be prohibited for 10 years.

The new league, scheduled to begin in late 2026, is aiming to attract athletes from both codes with hefty contracts and a slimmed-down game calendar.

Top rugby league stars have reportedly been approached by the breakaway group, which will include six or eight men's teams and four women's sides operating from large metropolitan areas around the world.

The Samoan Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who represents the Warriors in the competition, has said he has had discussions with R360.

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

Eight major rugby union countries, including Australia, recently announced a restriction on athletes signing with R360 playing global fixtures.

“We've listened to our teams and we've acted decisively,” commented the league's chief the official.

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

“They fail to contribute in development systems or the growth of players. They simply exploit the hard work of others, putting players at risk of economic hardship while gaining personally.

“They are, in reality, copying the game.”

R360 is launched by ex-England star Mike Tindall and supported by independent financiers.

Following the potential rugby union prohibitions were revealed recently, it said: “We seek to cooperate collaboratively as integrated into the worldwide fixture list.

“The event is structured with customized calendars for male and female sides and we will release all players for international matches, as written into their deals.”

The breakaway group will seek approval for its proposals from the international authority, the sport's administrative organization, at its council meeting in 2026.