R360 Players Hit With 10-Year Suspension from Australia's Rugby League

The NRL's governing body has stated that athletes who enter the “counterfeit” R360 competition will be banned for a decade.

The new league, set to start in 2026, is seeking to lure players from union and league with hefty contracts and a reduced game calendar.

Prominent rugby league athletes have reportedly received offers by R360, which will involve six to eight men's clubs and four women's sides operating from large metropolitan areas globally.

Samoa's the rugby star, who plays for New Zealand Warriors in the NRL, has said he has had negotiations involving the breakaway league.

Papenhuyzen, Zac Lomax, Payne Haas and Jye Gray are also believed to be thinking about signing R360.

Several leading union nations, among them Australia, recently announced a prohibition on R360 recruits playing test matches.

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

“Sadly, there will always be organizations that seek to pirate our code for monetary profit.

“They don't invest in talent pipelines or the growth of players. They simply exploit the hard work of other organizations, putting players at risk of economic hardship while gaining personally.

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

The league is launched by former England World Cup winner Tindall and supported by private investors.

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

“The competition is designed with tailored timetables for both genders and R360 will permit participants for international matches, as written into their deals.”

The breakaway group will apply for endorsement for its proposals from the international authority, union's administrative organization, at its official gathering in the coming year.