R360 Athletes Subject to 10-Season Ban from Australia's Rugby League

Australian rugby league's governing body has announced that athletes who join the “breakaway” R360 league will be barred for 10 years.

The proposed competition, scheduled to begin in October 2026, is aiming to attract athletes from both codes with lucrative deals and a reduced game calendar.

Prominent National Rugby League athletes have allegedly been contacted by the breakaway group, which will feature multiple men's sides and four women's teams operating from major cities around the world.

The Samoan the rugby star, who represents his NRL club in the league, has stated he has had talks with the breakaway league.

Ryan Papenhuyzen, Lomax, Haas and Jye Gray are also reported to be weighing up offers from R360.

Several leading union nations, such as Australia, last week announced a ban on R360 recruits appearing in global fixtures.

“We heard our teams and we've acted decisively,” said Australian Rugby League Commission chairman the official.

“Sadly, there will always be entities that try to exploit our sport for economic benefit.

“They don't invest in talent pipelines or the development of athletes. They simply exploit the efforts of others, putting players at risk of monetary damage while benefiting financially.

“Essentially, they are, imitating the sport.”

The league is established by former England World Cup winner Mike Tindall and supported by independent financiers.

Following the prospective union bans were revealed earlier, it stated: “We seek to cooperate collaboratively as a component of the international rugby schedule.

“The competition is arranged with bespoke schedules for men's and women's teams and we will allow all athletes for global fixtures, as written into their agreements.”

The breakaway group will apply for endorsement for its proposals from rugby union's governing body, union's governing body, at its board session next year.