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

Rugby league's governing body has announced that participants who join the “counterfeit” R360 will be barred for 10 years.

R360, which plans to launch in 2026, is seeking to lure athletes from both codes with substantial agreements and a slimmed-down fixture list.

Top NRL players have allegedly been contacted by the new league, which will include six to eight men's teams and four women's sides located in key urban centers worldwide.

Samoa's the player, who plays for New Zealand Warriors in the league, has stated he has had talks with the breakaway league.

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

A group of rugby union countries, including Australia, earlier declared a ban on athletes signing with R360 participating in global fixtures.

“We've listened to our clubs and we've acted decisively,” commented the league's chairman Peter V'Landys.

“Unfortunately, there will continually be entities that seek to pirate our sport for monetary profit.

“They avoid funding in development systems or the development of athletes. They simply exploit the hard work of others, jeopardizing careers of financial loss while benefiting financially.

“Essentially, they are, counterfeiting a code.”

The organization is co-founded by retired international Tindall and backed by independent financiers.

Subsequent to the potential rugby union bans were declared last week, it commented: “We seek to cooperate collaboratively as integrated into the worldwide fixture list.

“The competition is arranged with bespoke schedules for male and female sides and we will allow all athletes for test matches, as specified in their agreements.”

R360 will apply for endorsement for its plans from World Rugby, rugby union's governing body, at its official gathering next year.