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

Rugby league's authority has stated that participants who sign with the “counterfeit” R360 league will be banned for a decade.

R360, scheduled to begin in late 2026, is hoping to draw rugby union and rugby league players with substantial agreements and a reduced playing schedule.

Leading rugby league players have reportedly been approached by the breakaway group, which will include six or eight men's teams and four women's teams based in key urban centers globally.

The Samoan the rugby star, who is with the Warriors in the NRL, has stated he has had discussions with the new organization.

Papenhuyzen, Zac Lomax, Payne Haas and Gray are also believed to be thinking about signing R360.

Several leading union nations, such as Australia, last week announced a prohibition on athletes signing with R360 appearing in global fixtures.

“We have consulted our franchises and we've responded strongly,” stated ARLC chairman V'Landys.

“Regrettably, there will always be organizations that attempt to hijack our code for economic benefit.

“They fail to contribute in development systems or the development of athletes. They simply exploit the hard work of other organizations, endangering athletes of financial loss while profiting themselves.

“Essentially, they are, copying the game.”

The league is established by former England World Cup winner Mike Tindall and supported by private investors.

After the possible rugby union prohibitions were revealed last week, it stated: “We seek to cooperate together as a component of the global rugby calendar.

“The event is arranged with customized calendars for men's and women's teams and the organization will release all players for global fixtures, as specified in their deals.”

The new league will seek approval for its initiatives from rugby union's governing body, rugby union's administrative organization, at its council meeting in 2026.