R360 Competition Recruits Face 10-Year Exclusion from NRL
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck earned 20 test matches for the All Blacks before changing loyalty to the Samoan team.
Australian rugby league's governing body has declared that players who sign with the “breakaway” R360 will be banned for 10 years.
The new league, scheduled to begin in October 2026, is aiming to attract rugby union and rugby league players with lucrative deals and a slimmed-down playing schedule.
Leading NRL stars have reportedly been approached by R360, which will include six to eight men's sides and four women's teams operating from large metropolitan areas around the world.
Representing Samoa the player, who represents the Warriors in the NRL, has said he has had negotiations involving R360.
Ryan Papenhuyzen, Zac Lomax, Payne Haas and Gray are also believed to be thinking about signing R360.
Several leading union teams, including Australia, recently declared a ban on players joining R360 playing international matches.
“We've listened to our clubs and we've taken firm action,” commented the league's chairman V'Landys.
“Regrettably, there will persistently exist groups that seek to pirate our game for economic benefit.
“They avoid funding in development systems or the advancement of players. They only leverage the hard work of existing bodies, putting players at risk of monetary damage while gaining personally.
“They are, in reality, imitating the sport.”
The league is established by retired international Mike Tindall and funded by private investors.
Subsequent to the potential rugby union prohibitions were declared recently, it said: “We aim to collaborate collaboratively as integrated into the worldwide fixture list.
“The event is structured with customized calendars for men's and women's teams and we will permit participants for international matches, as included in their deals.”
R360 will apply for endorsement for its plans from World Rugby, rugby union's regulatory group, at its official gathering in the coming year.
