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

Australian rugby league's authority has announced that participants who enter the “breakaway” R360 will be banned for a decade.

R360, scheduled to begin in late 2026, is hoping to draw players from union and league with hefty contracts and a condensed playing schedule.

Prominent rugby league players have allegedly been contacted by the breakaway group, which will involve six to eight men's teams and four women's teams located in major cities around the world.

Representing Samoa the player, who represents New Zealand Warriors in the league, has stated he has had discussions with R360.

Papenhuyzen, Lomax, Haas and Jye Gray are also said to be considering joining the new competition.

A group of union countries, among them Australia, recently imposed a ban on R360 recruits participating in international matches.

“We've listened to our franchises and we've acted decisively,” said the league's chief V'Landys.

“Regrettably, there will continually be organizations that seek to pirate our code for monetary profit.

“They don't invest in development systems or the development of athletes. They simply exploit the hard work of existing bodies, jeopardizing careers of economic hardship while gaining personally.

“Essentially, they are, counterfeiting a code.”

R360 is co-founded by ex-England star Mike Tindall and funded by independent financiers.

After the prospective union prohibitions were announced earlier, it commented: “We seek to cooperate together as integrated into the worldwide fixture list.

“The series is structured with tailored timetables for male and female sides and R360 will permit participants for global fixtures, as included in their contracts.”

R360 will request authorization for its plans from the international authority, rugby union's governing body, at its council meeting in 2026.