🔗 Share this article R360 League Recruits Face 10-Year Exclusion from National Rugby League The rugby star earned 20 test matches for New Zealand before transferring allegiance to the Samoan team. Rugby league's administration has announced that participants who enter the “counterfeit” R360 competition will be barred for 10 years. R360, which plans to launch in late 2026, is seeking to lure rugby union and rugby league players with lucrative deals and a condensed playing schedule. Leading rugby league athletes have reportedly received offers by the breakaway group, which will feature six or eight men's sides and women's teams operating from key urban centers around the world. The Samoan the rugby star, who represents the Warriors in the NRL, has said he has had talks with the new organization. Papenhuyzen, Zac Lomax, Payne Haas and Jye Gray are also reported to be considering joining R360. Several leading rugby union teams, such as Australia, recently declared a restriction on players joining R360 appearing in global fixtures. “We've listened to our clubs and we've taken firm action,” said ARLC head V'Landys. “Regrettably, there will persistently exist entities that try to exploit our game for potential financial gain. “They avoid funding in pathways or the growth of athletes. They simply exploit the dedication of other organizations, jeopardizing careers of monetary damage while benefiting financially. “They are, in reality, copying the game.” R360 is launched by retired international Tindall and funded by private investors. Following the possible rugby union bans were revealed earlier, it said: “We seek to cooperate together as part of the international rugby schedule. “The series is designed with tailored timetables for both genders and R360 will permit participants for global fixtures, as included in their agreements.” The new league will request authorization for its proposals from the international authority, the sport's regulatory group, at its board session in 2026.