R360 Recruits Hit With Decade-Long Exclusion from NRL

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

The new league, set to start in October 2026, is seeking to lure athletes from both codes with hefty contracts and a reduced game calendar.

Top NRL stars have reportedly been approached by the new league, which will involve six to eight men's sides and four women's teams located in large metropolitan areas globally.

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

Ryan Papenhuyzen, Lomax, Payne Haas and Gray are also believed to be weighing up offers from R360.

Several leading rugby union countries, among them Australia, earlier imposed a ban on R360 recruits playing global fixtures.

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

“Unfortunately, there will always be organizations that seek to pirate our code for monetary profit.

“They avoid funding in talent pipelines or the growth of players. They only leverage the efforts of others, putting players at risk of financial loss while profiting themselves.

“They are, in reality, copying the game.”

R360 is established by retired international Mike Tindall and supported by independent financiers.

Subsequent to the prospective union prohibitions were declared earlier, it said: “We want to work in partnership as part of the international rugby schedule.

“The competition is arranged with customized calendars for both genders and the organization will allow all athletes for global fixtures, as specified in their contracts.”

The breakaway group will apply for endorsement for its initiatives from World Rugby, the sport's regulatory group, at its official gathering in the coming year.