R360 League Recruits Face 10-Year Ban from Australia's Rugby League

Australian rugby league's administration has announced that participants who sign with the “counterfeit” R360 will be prohibited for 10 seasons.

The new league, set to start in 2026, is aiming to attract players from union and league with lucrative deals and a condensed game calendar.

Top National Rugby League athletes have reportedly been approached by R360, which will feature six to eight men's teams and four women's sides based in key urban centers worldwide.

Samoa's the player, who plays for his NRL club in the NRL, has confirmed he has had talks with the breakaway league.

Papenhuyzen, Lomax, Payne Haas and Gray are also reported to be thinking about signing R360.

Several leading rugby union countries, such as Australia, recently imposed a ban on R360 recruits appearing in global fixtures.

“We've listened to our franchises and we've taken firm action,” said ARLC chairman the official.

“Unfortunately, there will always be entities that try to exploit our code for economic benefit.

“They fail to contribute in talent pipelines or the advancement of athletes. They merely capitalize on the efforts of other organizations, jeopardizing careers of financial loss while profiting themselves.

“Essentially, they are, counterfeiting a code.”

The organization is established by former England World Cup winner Mike Tindall and funded by private investors.

Following the possible rugby union bans were revealed recently, it commented: “We want to work in partnership as part of the international rugby schedule.

“The event is structured with customized calendars for men's and women's teams and we will allow all athletes for international matches, as specified in their agreements.”

R360 will request authorization for its initiatives from rugby union's governing body, the sport's regulatory group, at its council meeting in 2026.