R360 Players Face 10-Season Suspension from National Rugby League

The NRL's governing body has declared that athletes who enter the “counterfeit” R360 league will be barred for 10 seasons.

The new league, set to start in 2026, is seeking to lure players from union and league with hefty contracts and a condensed game calendar.

Top National Rugby League players have reportedly been approached by the new league, which will involve six to eight men's sides and women's teams located in key urban centers around the world.

Samoa's Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who is with his NRL club in the competition, has confirmed he has had negotiations involving R360.

Papenhuyzen, Zac Lomax, Payne Haas and Gray are also reported to be thinking about signing the new competition.

Several leading rugby union nations, including Australia, recently imposed a prohibition on athletes signing with R360 appearing in international matches.

“We have consulted our franchises and we've responded strongly,” commented ARLC head Peter V'Landys.

“Sadly, there will persistently exist organizations that seek to pirate our game for potential financial gain.

“They fail to contribute in talent pipelines or the development of talent. They only leverage the efforts of existing bodies, endangering athletes of financial loss while benefiting financially.

“Essentially, they are, imitating the sport.”

R360 is co-founded by former England World Cup winner Tindall and backed by private investors.

After the possible union prohibitions were announced earlier, it stated: “We aim to collaborate in partnership as a component of the international rugby schedule.

“The series is designed with tailored timetables for male and female sides and we will allow all athletes for global fixtures, as included in their agreements.”

The new league will apply for endorsement for its initiatives from the international authority, union's administrative organization, at its board session in the coming year.