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

Australian rugby league's administration has declared that players who sign with the “rebel” R360 will be banned for a decade.

The proposed competition, set to start in October 2026, is hoping to draw players from union and league with lucrative deals and a condensed game calendar.

Top rugby league stars have allegedly been contacted by R360, which will involve six to eight men's clubs and women's teams operating from large metropolitan areas globally.

Samoa's the player, who is with his NRL club in the league, has confirmed he has had negotiations involving the breakaway league.

Ryan Papenhuyzen, Lomax, Haas and Jye Gray are also believed to be thinking about signing the rebel league.

Eight major rugby union teams, including Australia, last week declared a ban on athletes signing with R360 participating in test matches.

“We've listened to our franchises and we've acted decisively,” stated ARLC chairman the official.

“Unfortunately, there will persistently exist entities that try to exploit our sport for monetary profit.

“They fail to contribute in development systems or the growth of talent. They merely capitalize on the hard work of other organizations, endangering athletes of monetary damage while gaining personally.

“They are, in reality, copying the game.”

The organization is established by ex-England star Tindall and supported by private investors.

After the possible union bans were announced last week, it stated: “We want to work in partnership as a component of the worldwide fixture list.

“The event is arranged with customized calendars for male and female sides and the organization will allow all athletes for global fixtures, as specified in their deals.”

The new league will request authorization for its plans from rugby union's governing body, the sport's administrative organization, at its official gathering in 2026.