R360 League Players Subject to 10-Year Ban from NRL

The NRL's administration has declared 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 aiming to attract rugby union and rugby league players with hefty contracts and a condensed fixture list.

Prominent NRL athletes have allegedly been contacted by R360, which will involve six or eight men's teams and women's teams operating from major cities worldwide.

The Samoan Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who is with the Warriors in the NRL, has confirmed he has had talks with the new organization.

Ryan Papenhuyzen, Zac Lomax, Haas and Jye Gray are also said to be thinking about signing R360.

Eight major rugby union nations, among them Australia, earlier declared a prohibition on athletes signing with R360 playing test matches.

“We've listened to our franchises and we've taken firm action,” stated the league's chief V'Landys.

“Sadly, there will always be groups that seek to pirate our game for economic benefit.

“They fail to contribute in development systems or the growth of talent. They only leverage the efforts of others, endangering athletes of monetary damage while profiting themselves.

“Essentially, they are, copying the game.”

The organization is established by ex-England star Mike Tindall and backed by commercial backers.

After the potential union sanctions were announced recently, it said: “We aim to collaborate in partnership as integrated into the worldwide fixture list.

“The event is structured with customized calendars for men's and women's teams and R360 will allow all athletes for international matches, as written into their deals.”

The new league will apply for endorsement for its plans from the international authority, the sport's regulatory group, at its council meeting in the coming year.