R360 Competition Players Hit With 10-Year Exclusion from National Rugby League

The NRL's administration has declared that participants who enter the “rebel” R360 will be banned for 10 seasons.

R360, which plans to launch in late 2026, is seeking to lure players from union and league with lucrative deals and a condensed game calendar.

Leading NRL stars have reportedly been approached by the breakaway group, which will involve six to eight men's clubs and four women's sides operating from large metropolitan areas worldwide.

Representing Samoa the player, who plays for New Zealand Warriors in the competition, has stated he has had negotiations involving the breakaway league.

Papenhuyzen, Zac Lomax, Payne Haas and Jye Gray are also said to be considering joining the new competition.

Eight major rugby union teams, among them Australia, earlier declared a restriction on players joining R360 participating in international matches.

“We have consulted our clubs and we've acted decisively,” stated the league's chief Peter V'Landys.

“Sadly, there will continually be groups that attempt to hijack our game for economic benefit.

“They avoid funding in pathways or the advancement of players. They only leverage the dedication of existing bodies, endangering athletes of financial loss while profiting themselves.

“Essentially, they are, copying the game.”

The league is established by retired international Mike Tindall and supported by commercial backers.

Subsequent to the prospective rugby union prohibitions were declared last week, it stated: “We seek to cooperate collaboratively as part of the global rugby calendar.

“The competition is designed with customized calendars for men's and women's teams and we will permit participants for global fixtures, as included in their agreements.”

The breakaway group will request authorization for its initiatives from the international authority, rugby union's governing body, at its board session next year.