R360 Players Face Decade-Long Exclusion from NRL

The NRL's administration has announced that participants who join the “rebel” R360 league will be prohibited for a decade.

R360, scheduled to begin in 2026, is hoping to draw players from union and league with lucrative deals and a reduced fixture list.

Top rugby league players have allegedly been contacted by the new league, which will include multiple men's teams and women's teams located in major cities worldwide.

Representing Samoa the player, who is with New Zealand Warriors in the NRL, has stated he has had talks with the new organization.

Papenhuyzen, Lomax, Payne Haas and Jye Gray are also reported to be thinking about signing the rebel league.

Several leading union countries, including Australia, earlier declared a restriction on players joining R360 appearing in global fixtures.

“We have consulted our teams and we've acted decisively,” stated the league's chairman Peter V'Landys.

“Regrettably, there will persistently exist entities that seek to pirate our code for economic benefit.

“They avoid funding in development systems or the advancement of players. They only leverage the dedication of other organizations, endangering athletes of financial loss while benefiting financially.

“In truth, they represent, copying the game.”

The league is co-founded by retired international Tindall and supported by private investors.

After the possible rugby union bans were revealed last week, it said: “We want to work in partnership as a component of the international rugby schedule.

“The series is arranged with tailored timetables for both genders and R360 will permit participants for test matches, as specified in their agreements.”

The breakaway group will request authorization for its plans from World Rugby, union's administrative organization, at its council meeting in the coming year.