R360 League Recruits Hit With 10-Season Ban from Australia's Rugby League

Rugby league's authority has announced that athletes who sign with the “counterfeit” R360 competition will be banned for 10 seasons.

The proposed competition, which plans to launch in October 2026, is hoping to draw players from union and league with lucrative deals and a condensed game calendar.

Top NRL stars have reportedly been approached by the breakaway group, which will feature six or eight men's sides and four women's sides located in major cities globally.

Representing Samoa the rugby star, who is with New Zealand Warriors in the competition, has said he has had discussions with the new organization.

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

A group of rugby union nations, including Australia, earlier announced a restriction on athletes signing with R360 appearing in test matches.

“We heard our teams and we've acted decisively,” commented Australian Rugby League Commission head Peter V'Landys.

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

“They avoid funding in development systems or the development of players. They merely capitalize on the dedication of existing bodies, jeopardizing careers of economic hardship while benefiting financially.

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

The league is launched by former England World Cup winner Tindall and supported by private investors.

After the potential union prohibitions were declared earlier, it said: “We seek to cooperate collaboratively as integrated into the worldwide fixture list.

“The competition is designed with tailored timetables for both genders and R360 will allow all athletes for international matches, as included in their contracts.”

The breakaway group will seek approval for its proposals from World Rugby, the sport's governing body, at its board session in 2026.