R360 Competition Athletes Hit With 10-Year Ban from Australia's Rugby League

The NRL's governing body has declared that players who sign with the “breakaway” R360 competition will be prohibited for a decade.

R360, set to start in 2026, is seeking to lure rugby union and rugby league players with hefty contracts and a condensed game calendar.

Leading National Rugby League stars have allegedly been contacted by the new league, which will involve six or eight men's clubs and women's teams based in large metropolitan areas around the world.

Samoa's the player, who is with his NRL club in the league, has stated he has had discussions with the new organization.

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

Eight major rugby union teams, such as Australia, earlier imposed a restriction on athletes signing with R360 playing global fixtures.

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

“Unfortunately, there will always be groups that try to exploit our code for monetary profit.

“They don't invest in development systems or the development of athletes. They simply exploit the efforts of existing bodies, putting players at risk of financial loss while profiting themselves.

“Essentially, they are, counterfeiting a code.”

The organization is launched by retired international Mike Tindall and funded by commercial backers.

Subsequent to the possible rugby union bans were revealed recently, it said: “We seek to cooperate together as a component of the global rugby calendar.

“The event is arranged with tailored timetables for men's and women's teams and R360 will permit participants for global fixtures, as included in their deals.”

The breakaway group will request authorization for its proposals from World Rugby, rugby union's governing body, at its official gathering in the coming year.