R360 Competition Recruits Hit With Decade-Long Suspension from NRL

The NRL's administration has announced that players who join the “breakaway” R360 competition will be barred for a decade.

R360, set to start in late 2026, is hoping to draw players from union and league with lucrative deals and a reduced playing schedule.

Leading NRL players have allegedly been contacted by R360, which will feature six to eight men's sides and women's teams located in large metropolitan areas globally.

Representing Samoa the rugby star, who represents New Zealand Warriors in the NRL, has confirmed he has had negotiations involving R360.

Ryan Papenhuyzen, Lomax, Haas and Gray are also believed to be thinking about signing R360.

Several leading rugby union countries, among them Australia, recently declared a restriction on athletes signing with R360 appearing in test matches.

“We've listened to our teams and we've acted decisively,” said Australian Rugby League Commission chairman V'Landys.

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

“They fail to contribute in development systems or the growth of players. They simply exploit the efforts of others, putting players at risk of monetary damage while gaining personally.

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

The league is launched by ex-England star Mike Tindall and supported by private investors.

Subsequent to the potential rugby union prohibitions were announced recently, it stated: “We seek to cooperate in partnership as integrated into the worldwide fixture list.

“The series is structured with tailored timetables for both genders and the organization will release all players for international matches, as written into their contracts.”

The breakaway group will seek approval for its plans from World Rugby, the sport's regulatory group, at its council meeting in the coming year.