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

The NRL's governing body has announced that players who join the “breakaway” R360 competition will be barred for 10 years.

The proposed competition, which plans to launch in October 2026, is seeking to lure rugby union and rugby league players with hefty contracts and a reduced playing schedule.

Top NRL players have reportedly received offers by the breakaway group, which will include multiple men's teams and four women's sides located in major cities globally.

Representing Samoa the player, who represents New Zealand Warriors in the competition, has said he has had negotiations involving the breakaway league.

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

Several leading rugby union nations, among them Australia, earlier declared a restriction on athletes signing with R360 playing international matches.

“We heard our clubs and we've acted decisively,” said the league's head the official.

“Sadly, there will persistently exist entities that seek to pirate our code for monetary profit.

“They don't invest in development systems or the advancement of talent. They merely capitalize on the dedication of other organizations, putting players at risk of financial loss while profiting themselves.

“In truth, they represent, counterfeiting a code.”

The league is established by retired international Tindall and funded by private investors.

Subsequent to the possible union sanctions were declared recently, it stated: “We seek to cooperate together as integrated into the international rugby schedule.

“The series is designed with tailored timetables for men's and women's teams and we will release all players for global fixtures, as included in their contracts.”

The new league will request authorization for its initiatives from rugby union's governing body, union's regulatory group, at its board session in 2026.