R360 League Players Hit With 10-Season Suspension from National Rugby League

Rugby athlete in action — Roger Tuivasa-Sheck gained 20 international appearances for the All Blacks before switching allegiance to the Samoan team.

Australian rugby league's administration has announced that players who join 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.

Top rugby league athletes have allegedly been contacted by the new league, which will feature six or eight men's sides and women's teams located in large metropolitan areas worldwide.

Representing Samoa Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who plays for New Zealand Warriors in the league, has confirmed he has had discussions with the breakaway league.

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

A group of rugby union teams, among them Australia, earlier imposed a prohibition on R360 recruits appearing in international matches.

“We've listened to our clubs and we've taken firm action,” said the league's chairman V'Landys.

“Regrettably, there will always be groups that try to exploit our game for economic benefit.

“They fail to contribute in development systems or the development of talent. They merely capitalize on the efforts of existing bodies, endangering athletes of financial loss while gaining personally.

“Essentially, they are, counterfeiting a code.”

R360 is established by retired international Mike Tindall and backed by commercial backers.

Subsequent to the prospective rugby union prohibitions were declared last week, it commented: “We aim to collaborate collaboratively as part of the worldwide fixture list.

“The event is structured with tailored timetables for both genders and R360 will allow all athletes for global fixtures, as specified in their contracts.”

The new league will seek approval for its plans from the international authority, rugby union's administrative organization, at its official gathering next year.