R360 Competition Athletes Subject to Decade-Long Ban from Australia's Rugby League

The NRL's authority has announced that players who sign with the “counterfeit” R360 competition will be banned for 10 years.

The new league, which plans to launch in late 2026, is seeking to lure rugby union and rugby league players with substantial agreements and a reduced game calendar.

Prominent rugby league stars have reportedly received offers by the new league, which will feature six to eight men's sides and four women's sides located in major cities globally.

Samoa's Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who plays for the Warriors in the competition, has confirmed he has had talks with R360.

Papenhuyzen, Zac Lomax, Haas and Gray are also reported to be weighing up offers from R360.

Eight major rugby union countries, including Australia, earlier imposed a ban on R360 recruits appearing in global fixtures.

“We've listened to our franchises and we've taken firm action,” said Australian Rugby League Commission chief the official.

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

“They don't invest in development systems or the development of players. They only leverage the efforts of others, jeopardizing careers of financial loss while benefiting financially.

“In truth, they represent, counterfeiting a code.”

The league is co-founded by former England World Cup winner Mike Tindall and funded by independent financiers.

Subsequent to the prospective union bans were declared recently, it stated: “We seek to cooperate collaboratively as integrated into the global rugby calendar.

“The event is arranged with customized calendars for men's and women's teams and R360 will release all players for international matches, as written into their agreements.”

The breakaway group will seek approval for its plans from the international authority, union's governing body, at its board session in 2026.