R360 Players Face Decade-Long Exclusion from NRL

The NRL's authority has announced that participants who enter the “breakaway” R360 will be barred for a decade.

The proposed competition, which plans to launch in late 2026, is hoping to draw athletes from both codes with substantial agreements and a slimmed-down game calendar.

Top National Rugby League stars have reportedly received offers by R360, which will include six to eight men's sides and women's teams located in large metropolitan areas around the world.

Samoa's the player, who represents the Warriors in the competition, has confirmed he has had discussions with the new organization.

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

Eight major union countries, among them Australia, recently announced a restriction on athletes signing with R360 appearing in global fixtures.

“We've listened to our clubs and we've responded strongly,” said the league's chief V'Landys.

“Regrettably, there will persistently exist organizations that attempt to hijack our game for monetary profit.

“They avoid funding in development systems or the development of athletes. They merely capitalize on the dedication of others, jeopardizing careers of monetary damage while gaining personally.

“Essentially, they are, counterfeiting a code.”

R360 is launched by former England World Cup winner Mike Tindall and backed by independent financiers.

Subsequent to the prospective union bans were declared last week, it stated: “We seek to cooperate together as a component of the international rugby schedule.

“The series is structured with tailored timetables for men's and women's teams and R360 will release all players for global fixtures, as specified in their contracts.”

The breakaway group will seek approval for its plans from the international authority, rugby union's governing body, at its official gathering in the coming year.