R360 League Recruits Hit With Decade-Long Exclusion from Australia's Rugby League

Australian rugby league's administration has announced that participants who join the “rebel” R360 league will be barred for 10 years.

R360, scheduled to begin in October 2026, is aiming to attract athletes from both codes with substantial agreements and a slimmed-down game calendar.

Leading National Rugby League stars have allegedly been contacted by R360, which will involve six or eight men's clubs and women's teams operating from major cities worldwide.

The Samoan Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who is with his NRL club in the league, has stated he has had negotiations involving the new organization.

Ryan Papenhuyzen, Zac Lomax, Payne Haas and Gray are also reported to be considering joining the rebel league.

Eight major union teams, among them Australia, last week declared a restriction on athletes signing with R360 appearing in international matches.

“We heard our teams and we've responded strongly,” commented Australian Rugby League Commission chairman V'Landys.

“Unfortunately, there will persistently exist entities that try to exploit our game for potential financial gain.

“They fail to contribute in talent pipelines or the advancement of talent. They merely capitalize on the hard work of others, putting players at risk of financial loss while profiting themselves.

“In truth, they represent, copying the game.”

R360 is established by former England World Cup winner Mike Tindall and supported by commercial backers.

Subsequent to the prospective rugby union prohibitions were announced earlier, it said: “We want to work together as part of the worldwide fixture list.

“The competition is arranged with tailored timetables for both genders and we will release all players for global fixtures, as specified in their agreements.”

R360 will request authorization for its proposals from World Rugby, union's regulatory group, at its board session in the coming year.