R360 Players Hit With Decade-Long Suspension from NRL

The NRL's administration has stated that participants who sign with the “breakaway” R360 will be barred for 10 seasons.

The proposed competition, scheduled to begin in late 2026, is seeking to lure players from union and league with hefty contracts and a reduced game calendar.

Prominent NRL athletes have reportedly received offers by the breakaway group, which will include six or eight men's teams and four women's teams based in major cities worldwide.

Samoa's the player, who represents his NRL club in the competition, has said he has had talks with R360.

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

Eight major union nations, among them Australia, recently imposed a prohibition on players joining R360 participating in test matches.

“We heard our clubs and we've acted decisively,” commented ARLC chairman V'Landys.

“Sadly, there will persistently exist groups that try to exploit our sport for potential financial gain.

“They avoid funding in development systems or the growth of talent. They only leverage the hard work of other organizations, jeopardizing careers of economic hardship while gaining personally.

“They are, in reality, counterfeiting a code.”

R360 is co-founded by former England World Cup winner Tindall and backed by commercial backers.

Following the possible rugby union prohibitions were declared earlier, it said: “We aim to collaborate collaboratively as part of the worldwide fixture list.

“The competition is structured with customized calendars for men's and women's teams and the organization will release all players for test matches, as included in their agreements.”

The breakaway group will request authorization for its proposals from rugby union's governing body, union's administrative organization, at its board session in 2026.