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

The NRL's governing body has announced that athletes who join the “rebel” R360 competition will be banned for a decade.

The proposed competition, scheduled to begin in late 2026, is seeking to lure players from union and league with hefty contracts and a reduced fixture list.

Top rugby league players have reportedly received offers by the new league, which will feature multiple men's clubs and women's teams located in large metropolitan areas worldwide.

Samoa's Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who plays for his NRL club in the competition, has said he has had talks with the new organization.

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

Several leading rugby union nations, among them Australia, earlier imposed a prohibition on R360 recruits playing international matches.

“We've listened to our teams and we've acted decisively,” commented ARLC chief Peter V'Landys.

“Regrettably, there will persistently exist groups that try to exploit our code for economic benefit.

“They fail to contribute in development systems or the advancement of talent. They merely capitalize on the dedication of existing bodies, endangering athletes of financial loss while gaining personally.

“Essentially, they are, imitating the sport.”

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

After the prospective union bans were revealed recently, it said: “We seek to cooperate in partnership as part of the worldwide fixture list.

“The competition is arranged with bespoke schedules for men's and women's teams and we will allow all athletes for test matches, as written into their deals.”

The new league will seek approval for its proposals from rugby union's governing body, the sport's regulatory group, at its board session in 2026.