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

Australian rugby league's administration has declared that participants who enter the “rebel” R360 league will be prohibited for 10 years.

The proposed competition, scheduled to begin in 2026, is hoping to draw athletes from both codes with substantial agreements and a reduced fixture list.

Top National Rugby League players have allegedly been contacted by the breakaway group, which will feature six to eight men's sides and four women's sides located in large metropolitan areas around the world.

Samoa's Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who represents New Zealand Warriors in the competition, has confirmed he has had talks with the new organization.

Papenhuyzen, Zac Lomax, Payne Haas and Gray are also believed to be weighing up offers from the rebel league.

Eight major rugby union teams, including Australia, earlier announced a restriction on athletes signing with R360 playing test matches.

“We have consulted our franchises and we've responded strongly,” stated the league's head the official.

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

“They don't invest in talent pipelines or the development of players. They simply exploit the hard work of others, endangering athletes of financial loss while gaining personally.

“They are, in reality, counterfeiting a code.”

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

After the possible union sanctions were declared recently, it stated: “We seek to cooperate together as integrated into the worldwide fixture list.

“The event is structured with customized calendars for male and female sides and we will release all players for international matches, as included in their contracts.”

The new league will seek approval for its plans from rugby union's governing body, the sport's regulatory group, at its official gathering in the coming year.