R360 Competition Recruits Face 10-Season Suspension from Australia's Rugby League

Rugby league's administration has declared that participants who join the “counterfeit” R360 competition will be banned for 10 seasons.

The proposed competition, which plans to launch in 2026, is seeking to lure athletes from both codes with hefty contracts and a reduced game calendar.

Top National Rugby League athletes have allegedly been contacted by the new league, which will involve six to eight men's teams and women's teams operating from large metropolitan areas worldwide.

The Samoan the rugby star, who plays for New Zealand Warriors in the league, has said he has had negotiations involving the breakaway league.

Ryan Papenhuyzen, Lomax, Haas and Jye Gray are also said to be weighing up offers from the new competition.

A group of union nations, including Australia, recently declared a restriction on players joining R360 participating in global fixtures.

“We heard our clubs and we've acted decisively,” stated Australian Rugby League Commission chief Peter V'Landys.

“Regrettably, there will persistently exist entities that try to exploit our code for economic benefit.

“They fail to contribute in talent pipelines or the growth of players. They simply exploit the dedication of others, jeopardizing careers of economic hardship while profiting themselves.

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

The league is co-founded by ex-England star Mike Tindall and backed by private investors.

Subsequent to the prospective rugby union sanctions were declared earlier, it commented: “We want to work together as part of the global rugby calendar.

“The event is designed with bespoke schedules for men's and women's teams and R360 will allow all athletes for test matches, as written into their contracts.”

The breakaway group will seek approval for its proposals from rugby union's governing body, rugby union's administrative organization, at its official gathering in 2026.