R360 Competition Athletes Subject to 10-Season Ban from NRL

The NRL's administration has announced that participants who enter the “breakaway” R360 will be barred for a decade.

The proposed competition, scheduled to begin in October 2026, is hoping to draw players from union and league with lucrative deals and a condensed fixture list.

Leading National Rugby League players have reportedly received offers by the breakaway group, which will involve multiple men's teams and women's teams operating from key urban centers worldwide.

Representing Samoa the rugby star, who plays for the Warriors in the NRL, has said he has had talks with the new organization.

Ryan Papenhuyzen, Lomax, Haas and Gray are also reported to be weighing up offers from the rebel league.

A group of rugby union nations, including Australia, recently announced a ban on athletes signing with R360 participating in test matches.

“We have consulted our franchises and we've taken firm action,” commented ARLC head the official.

“Unfortunately, there will persistently exist organizations that seek to pirate our game for monetary profit.

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

“Essentially, they are, counterfeiting a code.”

The league is launched by ex-England star Tindall and backed by commercial backers.

Subsequent to the prospective rugby union prohibitions were announced recently, it commented: “We seek to cooperate together as a component of the international rugby schedule.

“The competition is designed with customized calendars for men's and women's teams and R360 will release all players for global fixtures, as included in their contracts.”

The breakaway group will apply for endorsement for its plans from the international authority, union's regulatory group, at its council meeting next year.