R360 League Recruits Hit With 10-Year Exclusion from National Rugby League

Rugby league's governing body has declared that athletes who enter the “counterfeit” R360 will be prohibited for 10 years.

R360, which plans to launch in October 2026, is hoping to draw players from union and league with hefty contracts and a reduced game calendar.

Top National Rugby League stars have reportedly been approached by the new league, which will include six or eight men's teams and four women's teams operating from large metropolitan areas around the world.

Samoa's the player, who is with New Zealand Warriors in the NRL, has said he has had talks with R360.

Ryan Papenhuyzen, Zac Lomax, Payne Haas and Gray are also reported to be thinking about signing the new competition.

Eight major rugby union teams, such as Australia, earlier announced a prohibition on R360 recruits appearing in test matches.

“We have consulted our clubs and we've acted decisively,” commented the league's head V'Landys.

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

“They avoid funding in talent pipelines or the growth of players. They simply exploit the efforts of others, jeopardizing careers of economic hardship while benefiting financially.

“Essentially, they are, copying the game.”

The league is launched by retired international Mike Tindall and supported by commercial backers.

After the possible rugby union prohibitions were announced earlier, it said: “We aim to collaborate in partnership as part of the worldwide fixture list.

“The competition is designed with tailored timetables for men's and women's teams and we will permit participants for global fixtures, as included in their deals.”

The new league will seek approval for its proposals from World Rugby, the sport's administrative organization, at its official gathering in the coming year.