R360 Athletes Subject to 10-Year Exclusion from Australia's Rugby League

Rugby league's governing body has announced that players who join the “breakaway” R360 will be banned for 10 years.

R360, which plans to launch in 2026, is aiming to attract athletes from both codes with lucrative deals and a condensed fixture list.

Leading rugby league players have reportedly received offers by R360, which will involve six to eight men's clubs and four women's sides based in key urban centers worldwide.

Representing Samoa the rugby star, who is with the Warriors in the NRL, has said he has had negotiations involving the breakaway league.

Ryan Papenhuyzen, Zac Lomax, Payne Haas and Gray are also said to be thinking about signing the new competition.

Several leading rugby union countries, including Australia, earlier declared a prohibition on players joining R360 playing international matches.

“We have consulted our franchises and we've acted decisively,” said the league's chairman Peter V'Landys.

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

“They avoid funding in pathways or the advancement of athletes. They merely capitalize on the efforts of others, putting players at risk of monetary damage while profiting themselves.

“Essentially, they are, counterfeiting a code.”

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

Subsequent to the potential rugby union sanctions were declared earlier, it commented: “We want to work collaboratively as part of the international rugby schedule.

“The event is arranged with tailored timetables for male and female sides and we will permit participants for global fixtures, as specified in their contracts.”

The new league will request authorization for its plans from World Rugby, union's governing body, at its council meeting in the coming year.