🔗 Share this article R360 League Recruits Face 10-Season Ban from NRL The athlete gained 20 international appearances for New Zealand before switching loyalty to the Samoan team. Rugby league's governing body has announced that players who join the “counterfeit” R360 will be prohibited for 10 years. The new league, set to start in 2026, is seeking to lure rugby union and rugby league players with lucrative deals and a slimmed-down playing schedule. Top NRL stars have reportedly been approached by the breakaway group, which will feature six or eight men's teams and four women's sides operating from key urban centers around the world. Samoa's Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who plays for New Zealand Warriors in the NRL, has stated he has had discussions with the breakaway league. Papenhuyzen, Zac Lomax, Payne Haas and Jye Gray are also reported to be weighing up offers from the new competition. Several leading union teams, among them Australia, earlier imposed a ban on athletes signing with R360 appearing in test matches. “We have consulted our franchises and we've responded strongly,” commented ARLC chairman Peter V'Landys. “Unfortunately, there will continually be entities that attempt to hijack our game for potential financial gain. “They fail to contribute in talent pipelines or the growth of players. They only leverage the efforts of other organizations, endangering athletes of financial loss while benefiting financially. “In truth, they represent, counterfeiting a code.” R360 is co-founded by retired international Tindall and backed by private investors. Following the potential union bans were declared recently, it stated: “We want to work in partnership as part of the global rugby calendar. “The competition is structured with bespoke schedules for both genders and R360 will permit participants for international matches, as included in their deals.” The breakaway group will apply for endorsement for its plans from World Rugby, rugby union's regulatory group, at its council meeting in 2026.