R360 Athletes Face 10-Year Ban from National Rugby League

The NRL's governing body has announced that participants who enter the “breakaway” R360 league will be banned for a decade.

The new league, which plans to launch in 2026, is hoping to draw athletes from both codes with substantial agreements and a slimmed-down fixture list.

Top NRL players have reportedly been approached by R360, which will feature multiple men's clubs and women's teams based in large metropolitan areas globally.

The Samoan Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who represents his NRL club in the NRL, has said he has had talks with R360.

Ryan Papenhuyzen, Zac Lomax, Haas and Gray are also reported to be weighing up offers from the rebel league.

Eight major union countries, among them Australia, earlier imposed a prohibition on athletes signing with R360 appearing in global fixtures.

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

“Unfortunately, there will persistently exist groups that attempt to hijack our sport for monetary profit.

“They don't invest in development systems or the growth of players. They merely capitalize on the hard work of other organizations, endangering athletes of monetary damage while gaining personally.

“Essentially, they are, counterfeiting a code.”

The organization is launched by retired international Tindall and funded by independent financiers.

After the potential union prohibitions were announced recently, it commented: “We want to work together as a component of the global rugby calendar.

“The competition is structured with customized calendars for men's and women's teams and the organization will allow all athletes for global fixtures, as written into their agreements.”

The breakaway group will request authorization for its plans from rugby union's governing body, union's regulatory group, at its official gathering in 2026.