R360 Recruits Face 10-Season Exclusion from Australia's Rugby League
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck earned 20 test matches for New Zealand before transferring representation to the Samoan team.
Australian rugby league's governing body has declared that participants who join the “breakaway” R360 will be banned for 10 years.
The new league, scheduled to begin in 2026, is seeking to lure athletes from both codes with substantial agreements and a condensed fixture list.
Prominent NRL athletes have reportedly been approached by the breakaway group, which will involve six or eight men's sides and four women's sides operating from major cities worldwide.
Representing Samoa the rugby star, who plays for New Zealand Warriors in the league, has stated he has had negotiations involving R360.
Ryan Papenhuyzen, Lomax, Payne Haas and Gray are also reported to be weighing up offers from R360.
Eight major rugby union teams, such as Australia, recently declared a ban on R360 recruits appearing in global fixtures.
“We've listened to our franchises and we've taken firm action,” commented ARLC chief V'Landys.
“Sadly, there will persistently exist organizations that seek to pirate our code for economic benefit.
“They fail to contribute in talent pipelines or the development of players. They only leverage the dedication of others, endangering athletes of financial loss while profiting themselves.
“They are, in reality, copying the game.”
The league is established by ex-England star Mike Tindall and funded by commercial backers.
After the prospective union sanctions were declared earlier, it stated: “We seek to cooperate in partnership as integrated into the worldwide fixture list.
“The competition is structured with bespoke schedules for male and female sides and R360 will allow all athletes for global fixtures, as specified in their agreements.”
The new league will request authorization for its initiatives from World Rugby, rugby union's regulatory group, at its board session in 2026.
