R360 League Recruits Subject to 10-Year Ban from Australia's Rugby League

Rugby league's administration has stated that players who sign with the “rebel” R360 competition will be prohibited for 10 years.

R360, scheduled to begin in October 2026, is aiming to attract rugby union and rugby league players with lucrative deals and a condensed game calendar.

Top rugby league athletes have allegedly been contacted by the breakaway group, which will include six to eight men's teams and women's teams based in key urban centers around the world.

The Samoan Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who is with New Zealand Warriors in the competition, has stated he has had talks with the breakaway league.

Papenhuyzen, Lomax, Payne Haas and Jye Gray are also said to be considering joining the rebel league.

Eight major rugby union nations, among them Australia, earlier announced a restriction on R360 recruits playing test matches.

“We heard our franchises and we've responded strongly,” commented the league's chief the official.

“Regrettably, there will continually be groups that seek to pirate our sport for potential financial gain.

“They fail to contribute in pathways or the growth of players. They merely capitalize on the hard work of existing bodies, endangering athletes of financial loss while benefiting financially.

“In truth, they represent, imitating the sport.”

The league is established by retired international Tindall and backed by independent financiers.

Following the potential union sanctions were revealed earlier, it commented: “We aim to collaborate collaboratively as part of the international rugby schedule.

“The competition is arranged with bespoke schedules for male and female sides and we will permit participants for test matches, as included in their agreements.”

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