R360 Athletes Hit With 10-Season Exclusion from NRL
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck earned 20 caps for the All Blacks before transferring allegiance to the Samoan team.
The NRL's administration has announced that athletes who sign with the “counterfeit” R360 will be barred for 10 years.
The new league, set to start in October 2026, is hoping to draw rugby union and rugby league players with substantial agreements and a slimmed-down playing schedule.
Top rugby league players have reportedly received offers by R360, which will include six or eight men's sides and four women's sides located in large metropolitan areas worldwide.
Representing Samoa the rugby star, who represents his NRL club in the NRL, has stated he has had negotiations involving the new organization.
Papenhuyzen, Zac Lomax, Haas and Jye Gray are also said to be thinking about signing R360.
A group of union countries, including Australia, recently imposed a ban on players joining R360 appearing in international matches.
“We've listened to our franchises and we've responded strongly,” stated ARLC chief V'Landys.
“Sadly, there will continually be groups that attempt to hijack our game for potential financial gain.
“They avoid funding in development systems or the advancement of talent. They only leverage the dedication of others, endangering athletes of monetary damage while gaining personally.
“They are, in reality, copying the game.”
The organization is co-founded by retired international Mike Tindall and supported by commercial backers.
After the prospective rugby union sanctions were announced last week, it commented: “We seek to cooperate together as a component of the international rugby schedule.
“The event is arranged with tailored timetables for men's and women's teams and R360 will allow all athletes for test matches, as written into their contracts.”
R360 will seek approval for its plans from rugby union's governing body, rugby union's governing body, at its council meeting in the coming year.
