R360 Competition Players Face 10-Year Suspension from NRL

Rugby league's authority has announced that players who enter the “breakaway” R360 will be barred for 10 seasons.

The proposed competition, scheduled to begin in October 2026, is seeking to lure athletes from both codes with lucrative deals and a reduced game calendar.

Leading NRL athletes have reportedly been approached by R360, which will include six to eight men's sides and women's teams operating from major cities worldwide.

The Samoan Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who represents his NRL club in the competition, has stated he has had negotiations involving the new organization.

Ryan Papenhuyzen, Zac Lomax, Payne Haas and Gray are also reported to be weighing up offers from R360.

Eight major rugby union teams, among them Australia, recently announced a prohibition on players joining R360 appearing in test matches.

“We have consulted our teams and we've taken firm action,” commented the league's head the official.

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

“They avoid funding in development systems or the development of talent. They simply exploit the hard work of other organizations, endangering athletes of economic hardship while profiting themselves.

“They are, in reality, imitating the sport.”

The organization is launched by ex-England star Tindall and funded by commercial backers.

After the potential rugby union bans were declared recently, it stated: “We seek to cooperate collaboratively as integrated into the international rugby schedule.

“The competition is arranged with tailored timetables for male and female sides and R360 will permit participants for international matches, as written into their deals.”

R360 will request authorization for its plans from rugby union's governing body, the sport's administrative organization, at its board session in 2026.