R360 Athletes Face Decade-Long Exclusion from Australia's Rugby League

Rugby league's authority has stated that athletes who sign with the “rebel” R360 league will be prohibited for 10 years.

The new league, scheduled to begin in October 2026, is aiming to attract rugby union and rugby league players with hefty contracts and a condensed game calendar.

Top rugby league stars have reportedly received offers by the new league, which will involve multiple men's sides and four women's teams located in major cities globally.

Samoa's Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who plays for the Warriors in the competition, has confirmed he has had talks with R360.

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

A group of union teams, among them Australia, earlier declared a restriction on players joining R360 playing international matches.

“We heard our clubs and we've taken firm action,” commented Australian Rugby League Commission chief V'Landys.

“Regrettably, there will persistently exist entities that try to exploit our code for economic benefit.

“They avoid funding in pathways or the advancement of players. They only leverage the hard work of others, jeopardizing careers of economic hardship while benefiting financially.

“Essentially, they are, copying the game.”

R360 is co-founded by retired international Tindall and backed by commercial backers.

Subsequent to the possible union prohibitions were announced earlier, it stated: “We aim to collaborate in partnership as a component of the international rugby schedule.

“The series is designed with bespoke schedules for both genders and the organization will release all players for test matches, as written into their agreements.”

R360 will request authorization for its plans from the international authority, the sport's regulatory group, at its council meeting in 2026.