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

Australian rugby league's governing body has declared that participants who sign with the “breakaway” R360 will be barred for 10 years.

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

Prominent NRL athletes have reportedly received offers by the breakaway group, which will involve multiple men's teams and four women's sides based in major cities globally.

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

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

Several leading union nations, among them Australia, recently declared a ban on athletes signing with R360 appearing in test matches.

“We heard our clubs and we've acted decisively,” stated Australian Rugby League Commission head V'Landys.

“Regrettably, there will always be groups that try to exploit our code for monetary profit.

“They don't invest in talent pipelines or the development of talent. They only leverage the efforts of others, jeopardizing careers of economic hardship while profiting themselves.

“In truth, they represent, copying the game.”

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

Following the possible rugby union sanctions were declared recently, it said: “We aim to collaborate in partnership as integrated into the international rugby schedule.

“The series is designed with bespoke schedules for both genders and we will permit participants for international matches, as specified in their deals.”

The breakaway group will request authorization for its initiatives from World Rugby, the sport's governing body, at its official gathering in 2026.