R360 Competition Athletes Face 10-Year Ban from NRL
The rugby star won 20 international appearances for the Kiwis before changing allegiance to Samoa.
The NRL's authority has announced that participants who enter the “counterfeit” R360 will be banned for 10 years.
R360, scheduled to begin in October 2026, is aiming to attract athletes from both codes with substantial agreements and a condensed playing schedule.
Leading NRL players have reportedly received offers by the breakaway group, which will feature multiple men's clubs and four women's sides based in large metropolitan areas globally.
The Samoan Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who plays for New Zealand Warriors in the league, has confirmed he has had discussions with R360.
Ryan Papenhuyzen, Zac Lomax, Haas and Jye Gray are also reported to be weighing up offers from R360.
Several leading union countries, among them Australia, recently announced a prohibition on players joining R360 participating in global fixtures.
“We heard our franchises and we've taken firm action,” said Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V'Landys.
“Unfortunately, there will persistently exist entities that seek to pirate our game for economic benefit.
“They avoid funding in talent pipelines or the development of players. They only leverage the hard work of existing bodies, putting players at risk of financial loss while benefiting financially.
“Essentially, they are, copying the game.”
The organization is co-founded by ex-England star Mike Tindall and funded by private investors.
Subsequent to the prospective rugby union bans were announced earlier, it stated: “We seek to cooperate collaboratively as a component of the global rugby calendar.
“The series is arranged with customized calendars for men's and women's teams and the organization will permit participants for test matches, as written into their contracts.”
The breakaway group will seek approval for its plans from rugby union's governing body, rugby union's administrative organization, at its board session next year.
