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

Australian rugby league's governing body has declared that participants who sign with the “breakaway” R360 league will be prohibited for 10 years.

The new league, scheduled to begin in late 2026, is aiming to attract rugby union and rugby league players with lucrative deals and a condensed game calendar.

Prominent National Rugby League players have allegedly been contacted by the new league, which will involve six to eight men's sides and four women's sides located in key urban centers around the world.

The Samoan Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who is with New Zealand Warriors in the league, has stated he has had negotiations involving the new organization.

Papenhuyzen, Lomax, Haas and Gray are also said to be considering joining R360.

Several leading rugby union countries, such as Australia, earlier imposed a ban on R360 recruits playing global fixtures.

“We've listened to our franchises and we've taken firm action,” commented ARLC head the official.

“Regrettably, there will always be groups that seek to pirate our code for potential financial gain.

“They avoid funding in development systems or the development of talent. They merely capitalize on the hard work of others, endangering athletes of economic hardship while profiting themselves.

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

The organization is launched by former England World Cup winner Tindall and supported by commercial backers.

Subsequent to the prospective rugby union sanctions were revealed earlier, it commented: “We seek to cooperate collaboratively as part of the global rugby calendar.

“The event is arranged with customized calendars for male and female sides and we will allow all athletes for international matches, as specified in their deals.”

The breakaway group will seek approval for its proposals from rugby union's governing body, rugby union's governing body, at its council meeting in 2026.