R360 Athletes Subject to Decade-Long Exclusion from Australia's Rugby League

Australian rugby league's authority has stated that players who enter the “breakaway” R360 will be banned for a decade.

The proposed competition, scheduled to begin in late 2026, is aiming to attract athletes from both codes with lucrative deals and a reduced fixture list.

Prominent rugby league stars have reportedly been approached by R360, which will include six or eight men's teams and four women's sides operating from key urban centers globally.

The Samoan Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who is with the Warriors in the NRL, has confirmed he has had talks with the breakaway league.

Papenhuyzen, Zac Lomax, Payne Haas and Gray are also said to be weighing up offers from the new competition.

Several leading rugby union teams, among them Australia, earlier imposed a ban on athletes signing with R360 participating in global fixtures.

“We have consulted our teams and we've taken firm action,” said ARLC chief V'Landys.

“Regrettably, there will persistently exist groups that seek to pirate our sport for potential financial gain.

“They fail to contribute in talent pipelines or the development of talent. They simply exploit the dedication of others, putting players at risk of monetary damage while benefiting financially.

“They are, in reality, imitating the sport.”

The league is launched by retired international Tindall and supported by private investors.

After the potential union prohibitions were announced last week, it commented: “We seek to cooperate together as integrated into the worldwide fixture list.

“The event is arranged with customized calendars for male and female sides and we will release all players for international matches, as written into their agreements.”

The breakaway group will seek approval for its proposals from rugby union's governing body, the sport's administrative organization, at its council meeting in 2026.