R360 League Athletes Hit With 10-Year Suspension from Australia's Rugby League

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

The new league, which plans to launch in late 2026, is seeking to lure players from union and league with lucrative deals and a reduced playing schedule.

Leading rugby league players have reportedly been approached by R360, which will feature multiple men's clubs and women's teams based in large metropolitan areas globally.

Samoa's Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who represents New Zealand Warriors in the league, has stated he has had negotiations involving R360.

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

Several leading union countries, such as Australia, earlier imposed a restriction on athletes signing with R360 participating in international matches.

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

“Sadly, there will always be entities that try to exploit our game for potential financial gain.

“They don't invest in development systems or the development of talent. They merely capitalize on the hard work of others, putting players at risk of economic hardship while gaining personally.

“Essentially, they are, counterfeiting a code.”

The organization is co-founded by former England World Cup winner Mike Tindall and backed by independent financiers.

Subsequent to the potential union sanctions were revealed earlier, it commented: “We seek to cooperate together as a component of the global rugby calendar.

“The competition is designed with bespoke schedules for men's and women's teams and we will permit participants for test matches, as written into their agreements.”

R360 will apply for endorsement for its initiatives from World Rugby, the sport's administrative organization, at its board session in the coming year.