R360 Competition Recruits Hit With Decade-Long Exclusion from NRL

The NRL's administration has declared that athletes who enter the “rebel” R360 will be banned for a decade.

R360, which plans to launch in 2026, is hoping to draw players from union and league with lucrative deals and a reduced fixture list.

Leading rugby league athletes have reportedly received offers by the new league, which will feature multiple men's teams and women's teams located in large metropolitan areas around the world.

Representing Samoa the rugby star, who plays for his NRL club in the competition, has stated he has had negotiations involving the breakaway league.

Ryan Papenhuyzen, Zac Lomax, Payne Haas and Gray are also believed to be weighing up offers from R360.

Several leading rugby union teams, such as Australia, recently imposed a ban on R360 recruits participating in test matches.

“We have consulted our franchises and we've acted decisively,” commented Australian Rugby League Commission chief the official.

“Unfortunately, there will always be entities that attempt to hijack our code for monetary profit.

“They avoid funding in development systems or the advancement of talent. They only leverage the efforts of others, jeopardizing careers of financial loss while gaining personally.

“In truth, they represent, copying the game.”

The organization is established by retired international Tindall and backed by commercial backers.

Subsequent to the potential rugby union sanctions were revealed earlier, it commented: “We want to work in partnership as integrated into the international rugby schedule.

“The competition is structured with tailored timetables for both genders and we will allow all athletes for global fixtures, as specified in their agreements.”

The breakaway group will request authorization for its proposals from World Rugby, rugby union's administrative organization, at its board session next year.