R360 League Athletes Hit With Decade-Long Exclusion from National Rugby League

Australian rugby league's governing body has declared that participants who sign with the “counterfeit” R360 will be prohibited for a decade.

The new league, which plans to launch in 2026, is aiming to attract athletes from both codes with lucrative deals and a reduced game calendar.

Prominent National Rugby League athletes have reportedly received offers by the breakaway group, which will involve six or eight men's clubs and women's teams located in key urban centers globally.

Representing Samoa the rugby star, who represents his NRL club in the NRL, has said he has had discussions with R360.

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

Eight major union countries, among them Australia, last week announced a restriction on athletes signing with R360 appearing in international matches.

“We heard our clubs and we've responded strongly,” said ARLC head the official.

“Regrettably, there will continually be groups that seek to pirate our sport for monetary profit.

“They fail to contribute in pathways or the advancement of talent. They simply exploit the efforts of others, jeopardizing careers of financial loss while gaining personally.

“In truth, they represent, counterfeiting a code.”

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

Subsequent to the possible union bans were revealed recently, it said: “We aim to collaborate together as a component of the international rugby schedule.

“The event is designed with bespoke schedules for male and female sides and R360 will release all players for international matches, as included in their contracts.”

R360 will request authorization for its plans from the international authority, union's regulatory group, at its council meeting in the coming year.