R360 Competition Players Face Decade-Long Exclusion from National Rugby League

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

The new league, which plans to launch in 2026, is seeking to lure players from union and league with substantial agreements and a reduced fixture list.

Top rugby league players have allegedly been contacted by R360, which will involve six to eight men's clubs and four women's teams located in major cities around the world.

Samoa's the rugby star, who is with his NRL club in the competition, has confirmed he has had discussions with the breakaway league.

Ryan Papenhuyzen, Lomax, Haas and Jye Gray are also believed to be considering joining the rebel league.

Eight major rugby union teams, such as Australia, recently imposed a restriction on athletes signing with R360 participating in test matches.

“We've listened to our clubs and we've responded strongly,” commented ARLC head V'Landys.

“Regrettably, there will continually be entities that try to exploit our game for economic benefit.

“They avoid funding in talent pipelines or the advancement of talent. They merely capitalize on the efforts of other organizations, putting players at risk of monetary damage while benefiting financially.

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

The league is co-founded by ex-England star Mike Tindall and backed by private investors.

Following the prospective rugby union prohibitions were revealed earlier, it said: “We aim to collaborate collaboratively as a component of the international rugby schedule.

“The series is arranged with bespoke schedules for both genders and the organization will permit participants for global fixtures, as included in their deals.”

The new league will seek approval for its initiatives from the international authority, the sport's administrative organization, at its board session in the coming year.