R360 Competition Players Face 10-Year Exclusion from NRL

The NRL's administration has declared that players who sign with the “breakaway” R360 competition will be barred for 10 seasons.

R360, set to start in October 2026, is aiming to attract players from union and league with lucrative deals and a condensed fixture list.

Top rugby league athletes have reportedly been approached by R360, which will include six to eight men's teams and four women's teams operating from key urban centers worldwide.

Representing Samoa the player, who plays for the Warriors in the competition, has confirmed he has had talks with the breakaway league.

Ryan Papenhuyzen, Lomax, Haas and Jye Gray are also reported to be thinking about signing the new competition.

Several leading rugby union countries, such as Australia, recently imposed a restriction on athletes signing with R360 playing global fixtures.

“We have consulted our teams and we've acted decisively,” commented Australian Rugby League Commission head the official.

“Unfortunately, there will continually be groups that try to exploit our game for economic benefit.

“They fail to contribute in pathways or the growth of athletes. They only leverage the efforts of others, jeopardizing careers of financial loss while profiting themselves.

“Essentially, they are, counterfeiting a code.”

R360 is launched by former England World Cup winner Tindall and backed by independent financiers.

Subsequent to the possible rugby union prohibitions were announced recently, it commented: “We seek to cooperate together as integrated into the international rugby schedule.

“The event is structured with bespoke schedules for men's and women's teams and the organization will permit participants for international matches, as included in their agreements.”

The breakaway group will seek approval for its proposals from the international authority, the sport's regulatory group, at its council meeting next year.