R360 Athletes Hit With 10-Year Suspension from National Rugby League

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

R360, which plans to launch in late 2026, is hoping to draw athletes from both codes with hefty contracts and a slimmed-down fixture list.

Prominent NRL athletes have reportedly received offers by the new league, which will involve multiple men's clubs and four women's sides operating from major cities around the world.

Representing Samoa the rugby star, who plays for the Warriors in the league, has said he has had negotiations involving the new organization.

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

Eight major union teams, such as Australia, last week announced a restriction on athletes signing with R360 participating in global fixtures.

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

“Unfortunately, there will always be entities that attempt to hijack our game for potential financial gain.

“They fail to contribute in pathways or the advancement of talent. They merely capitalize on the hard work of others, jeopardizing careers of economic hardship while profiting themselves.

“In truth, they represent, counterfeiting a code.”

The league is launched by former England World Cup winner Mike Tindall and funded by independent financiers.

Following the prospective union sanctions were announced earlier, it said: “We want to work in partnership as integrated into the global rugby calendar.

“The competition is arranged with bespoke schedules for men's and women's teams and we will permit participants for test matches, as written into their contracts.”

R360 will seek approval for its proposals from rugby union's governing body, union's governing body, at its official gathering next year.