R360 League Players Face 10-Season Ban from Australia's Rugby League

Rugby league's governing body has announced that athletes who sign with the “counterfeit” R360 competition will be banned for a decade.

The proposed competition, set to start in late 2026, is aiming to attract athletes from both codes with hefty contracts and a slimmed-down fixture list.

Prominent NRL athletes have reportedly been approached by the new league, which will include multiple men's teams and women's teams located in key urban centers around the world.

Samoa's the player, who is with his NRL club in the league, has confirmed he has had discussions with R360.

Ryan Papenhuyzen, Zac Lomax, Haas and Jye Gray are also believed to be thinking about signing the new competition.

A group of union countries, including Australia, recently declared a prohibition on players joining R360 appearing in global fixtures.

“We have consulted our teams and we've responded strongly,” said ARLC chief V'Landys.

“Regrettably, there will persistently exist organizations that seek to pirate our sport for monetary profit.

“They fail to contribute in development systems or the growth of talent. They simply exploit the efforts of existing bodies, endangering athletes of economic hardship while gaining personally.

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

The league is co-founded by former England World Cup winner Tindall and backed by private investors.

Following the potential rugby union sanctions were declared recently, it said: “We want to work in partnership as part of the worldwide fixture list.

“The event is arranged with customized calendars for both genders and the organization will permit participants for international matches, as included in their deals.”

The new league will seek approval for its initiatives from World Rugby, rugby union's regulatory group, at its board session in 2026.