R360 League Recruits Hit With 10-Year Ban from Australia's Rugby League

Australian rugby league's governing body has declared that athletes who enter the “counterfeit” R360 will be prohibited for a decade.

The new league, which plans to launch in late 2026, is seeking to lure players from union and league with lucrative deals and a reduced fixture list.

Top rugby league athletes have reportedly been approached by the new league, which will feature six or eight men's clubs and four women's sides operating from major cities worldwide.

Samoa's the rugby star, who represents New Zealand Warriors in the competition, has stated he has had talks with R360.

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

Several leading union teams, such as Australia, last week imposed a ban on R360 recruits appearing in international matches.

“We have consulted our teams and we've acted decisively,” said the league's head the official.

“Regrettably, there will always be groups that seek to pirate our sport for monetary profit.

“They avoid funding in talent pipelines or the advancement of athletes. They only leverage the hard work of other organizations, endangering athletes of monetary damage while benefiting financially.

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

R360 is co-founded by retired international Tindall and funded by private investors.

Following the potential union sanctions were declared last week, it commented: “We want to work in partnership as integrated into the international rugby schedule.

“The series is structured with bespoke schedules for men's and women's teams and the organization will permit participants for international matches, as written into their contracts.”

The new league will request authorization for its proposals from the international authority, rugby union's governing body, at its board session next year.