R360 Competition Athletes Hit With 10-Season Exclusion from Australia's Rugby League

Australian rugby league's governing body has stated that participants who sign with the “rebel” R360 competition will be barred for 10 seasons.

The new league, set to start in late 2026, is aiming to attract players from union and league with hefty contracts and a reduced playing schedule.

Prominent National Rugby League players have allegedly been contacted by the new league, which will feature six to eight men's teams and four women's sides based in major cities worldwide.

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

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

Several leading rugby union nations, such as Australia, earlier declared a ban on players joining R360 participating in international matches.

“We've listened to our teams and we've taken firm action,” said the league's head Peter V'Landys.

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

“They fail to contribute in talent pipelines or the development of players. They simply exploit the efforts of others, jeopardizing careers of monetary damage while benefiting financially.

“In truth, they represent, counterfeiting a code.”

The organization is launched by retired international Tindall and backed by commercial backers.

After the possible rugby union bans were revealed last week, it stated: “We want to work together as part of the global rugby calendar.

“The competition is arranged with bespoke schedules for both genders and the organization will permit participants for international matches, as written into their contracts.”

R360 will request authorization for its plans from the international authority, the sport's regulatory group, at its council meeting in 2026.