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

Australian rugby league's administration has announced that athletes who sign with the “rebel” R360 competition will be prohibited for 10 seasons.

The new league, which plans to launch in late 2026, is hoping to draw rugby union and rugby league players with lucrative deals and a slimmed-down game calendar.

Top National Rugby League stars have allegedly been contacted by the new league, which will involve multiple men's teams and four women's teams based in key urban centers around the world.

Samoa's Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who represents New Zealand Warriors in the competition, has said he has had negotiations involving the new organization.

Papenhuyzen, Lomax, Haas and Jye Gray are also believed to be thinking about signing the new competition.

A group of union teams, among them Australia, recently announced a prohibition on R360 recruits appearing in test matches.

“We've listened to our teams and we've taken firm action,” commented the league's head V'Landys.

“Sadly, there will continually be organizations that try to exploit our sport for potential financial gain.

“They don't invest in development systems or the advancement of athletes. They merely capitalize on the hard work of other organizations, endangering athletes of financial loss while gaining personally.

“Essentially, they are, copying the game.”

R360 is launched by ex-England star Tindall and supported by independent financiers.

Following the prospective rugby union sanctions were revealed recently, it commented: “We aim to collaborate collaboratively as a component of the worldwide fixture list.

“The competition is arranged with bespoke schedules for both genders and the organization will permit participants for test matches, as specified in their deals.”

R360 will apply for endorsement for its proposals from World Rugby, the sport's regulatory group, at its council meeting next year.