R360 League Players Hit With Decade-Long Suspension from Australia's Rugby League

Rugby league's authority has announced that athletes who sign with the “counterfeit” R360 league will be prohibited for 10 seasons.

The new league, which plans to launch in late 2026, is aiming to attract rugby union and rugby league players with hefty contracts and a slimmed-down fixture list.

Prominent National Rugby League stars have allegedly been contacted by R360, which will involve multiple men's sides and four women's sides operating from key urban centers globally.

Representing Samoa the player, who plays for his NRL club in the league, has confirmed he has had talks with R360.

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

Several leading rugby union nations, including Australia, earlier declared a ban on R360 recruits playing global fixtures.

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

“Sadly, there will persistently exist groups that seek to pirate our code for monetary profit.

“They don't invest in development systems or the development of players. They merely capitalize on the hard work of existing bodies, endangering athletes of economic hardship while profiting themselves.

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

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

Subsequent to the potential rugby union sanctions were announced recently, it said: “We want to work collaboratively as a component of the international rugby schedule.

“The series is designed with customized calendars for men's and women's teams and we will release all players for global fixtures, as written into their contracts.”

R360 will seek approval for its initiatives from rugby union's governing body, union's governing body, at its official gathering in the coming year.