R360 League Recruits Subject to 10-Season Suspension from National Rugby League

Australian rugby league's governing body has declared that participants who sign with the “counterfeit” R360 league will be banned for 10 seasons.

R360, scheduled to begin in 2026, is hoping to draw players from union and league with substantial agreements and a reduced fixture list.

Leading rugby league athletes have reportedly been approached by the new league, which will feature six or eight men's clubs and four women's teams located in major cities globally.

Samoa's the player, who is with New Zealand Warriors in the competition, has stated he has had discussions with the new organization.

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

Several leading union nations, such as Australia, earlier declared a ban on athletes signing with R360 playing test matches.

“We heard our teams and we've responded strongly,” commented Australian Rugby League Commission head V'Landys.

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

“They fail to contribute in pathways or the advancement of players. They simply exploit the hard work of other organizations, putting players at risk of financial loss while benefiting financially.

“Essentially, they are, counterfeiting a code.”

The organization is established by ex-England star Tindall and supported by independent financiers.

After the potential union sanctions were announced earlier, it said: “We seek to cooperate together as a component of the international rugby schedule.

“The competition is structured with bespoke schedules for male and female sides and R360 will permit participants for international matches, as written into their contracts.”

R360 will seek approval for its plans from the international authority, the sport's administrative organization, at its official gathering in 2026.