R360 Competition Players Face Decade-Long Suspension from Australia's Rugby League

Rugby league's administration has announced that athletes who join the “counterfeit” R360 competition will be prohibited for 10 seasons.

The new league, scheduled to begin in 2026, is seeking to lure athletes from both codes with lucrative deals and a reduced game calendar.

Prominent National Rugby League players have reportedly received offers by R360, which will include multiple men's clubs and four women's sides based in key urban centers globally.

Samoa's Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who represents New Zealand Warriors in the league, has said he has had discussions with R360.

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

Several leading union nations, such as Australia, last week imposed a restriction on R360 recruits playing global fixtures.

“We heard our teams and we've taken firm action,” said Australian Rugby League Commission head V'Landys.

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

“They fail to contribute in pathways or the advancement of talent. They simply exploit the efforts of other organizations, endangering athletes of economic hardship while gaining personally.

“They are, in reality, copying the game.”

The organization is established by former England World Cup winner Tindall and backed by private investors.

After the possible rugby union sanctions were announced earlier, it said: “We want to work in partnership as integrated into the worldwide fixture list.

“The competition is designed with tailored timetables for men's and women's teams and we will permit participants for global fixtures, as included in their agreements.”

R360 will seek approval for its initiatives from the international authority, the sport's regulatory group, at its official gathering in 2026.