R360 Athletes Hit With 10-Season Suspension from NRL

Australian rugby league's authority has declared that athletes who enter the “rebel” R360 league will be banned for 10 seasons.

The proposed competition, which plans to launch in October 2026, is hoping to draw rugby union and rugby league players with substantial agreements and a slimmed-down playing schedule.

Top rugby league players have reportedly been approached by the new league, which will feature six or eight men's teams and four women's sides based in major cities globally.

Samoa's Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who plays for his NRL club in the league, has stated he has had talks with the new organization.

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

A group of rugby union nations, among them Australia, recently imposed a prohibition on athletes signing with R360 participating in test matches.

“We heard our teams and we've taken firm action,” said Australian Rugby League Commission head V'Landys.

“Regrettably, there will continually be groups that try to exploit our sport for economic benefit.

“They fail to contribute in development systems or the advancement of talent. They merely capitalize on the hard work of other organizations, endangering athletes of economic hardship while benefiting financially.

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

The organization is launched by former England World Cup winner Tindall and supported by independent financiers.

Subsequent to the potential rugby union bans were announced earlier, it stated: “We seek to cooperate in partnership as integrated into the global rugby calendar.

“The event is arranged with tailored timetables for male and female sides and R360 will allow all athletes for international matches, as written into their contracts.”

R360 will apply for endorsement for its initiatives from World Rugby, the sport's governing body, at its official gathering next year.