R360 Players Subject to 10-Year Exclusion from NRL

The NRL's governing body has declared that players who sign with the “rebel” R360 competition will be barred for 10 years.

The new league, set to start in late 2026, is aiming to attract players from union and league with lucrative deals and a condensed game calendar.

Prominent rugby league athletes have reportedly received offers by the new league, which will include six to eight men's sides and four women's teams located in large metropolitan areas worldwide.

The Samoan the player, who is with his NRL club in the league, has confirmed he has had negotiations involving the new organization.

Ryan Papenhuyzen, Zac Lomax, Haas and Gray are also believed to be considering joining R360.

Several leading rugby union teams, including Australia, earlier imposed a prohibition on R360 recruits participating in test matches.

“We have consulted our clubs and we've taken firm action,” said the league's chairman the official.

“Regrettably, there will persistently exist entities that seek to pirate our code for economic benefit.

“They don't invest in pathways or the growth of players. They only leverage the efforts of others, endangering athletes of monetary damage while gaining personally.

“They are, in reality, copying the game.”

R360 is co-founded by retired international Mike Tindall and backed by independent financiers.

Following the prospective rugby union bans were announced earlier, it said: “We want to work collaboratively as a component of the worldwide fixture list.

“The event is arranged with tailored timetables for both genders and we will release all players for global fixtures, as included in their contracts.”

R360 will seek approval for its plans from World Rugby, rugby union's regulatory group, at its official gathering in 2026.