R360 Recruits Hit With 10-Year Exclusion from Australia's Rugby League

Rugby league's administration has declared that players who join the “rebel” R360 will be banned for 10 seasons.

R360, set to start in October 2026, is aiming to attract players from union and league with lucrative deals and a slimmed-down fixture list.

Top rugby league athletes have reportedly been approached by the breakaway group, which will involve six or eight men's sides and four women's teams located in large metropolitan areas around the world.

Representing Samoa the rugby star, who is with the Warriors in the NRL, has confirmed he has had talks with the breakaway league.

Papenhuyzen, Lomax, Haas and Gray are also believed to be weighing up offers from the rebel league.

Several leading rugby union teams, including Australia, recently announced a restriction on athletes signing with R360 playing international matches.

“We heard our teams and we've responded strongly,” commented the league's chief Peter V'Landys.

“Sadly, there will always be organizations that attempt to hijack our code for economic benefit.

“They avoid funding in talent pipelines or the advancement of talent. They merely capitalize on the dedication of existing bodies, endangering athletes of economic hardship while profiting themselves.

“They are, in reality, imitating the sport.”

The league is launched by ex-England star Tindall and supported by private investors.

Subsequent to the possible rugby union prohibitions were revealed earlier, it said: “We seek to cooperate together as a component of the worldwide fixture list.

“The event is arranged with tailored timetables for both genders and R360 will allow all athletes for international matches, as written into their agreements.”

The breakaway group will apply for endorsement for its initiatives from World Rugby, union's governing body, at its board session in 2026.