R360 Recruits Subject to Decade-Long Ban from National Rugby League
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck won 20 caps for New Zealand before transferring loyalty to the Samoan team.
Rugby league's governing body has announced that players who sign with the “breakaway” R360 will be banned for 10 years.
The proposed competition, which plans to launch in October 2026, is aiming to attract athletes from both codes with hefty contracts and a condensed game calendar.
Top NRL players have allegedly been contacted by R360, which will feature six to eight men's teams and four women's sides operating from large metropolitan areas globally.
Samoa's Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who represents his NRL club in the league, has said he has had talks with R360.
Ryan Papenhuyzen, Zac Lomax, Haas and Jye Gray are also reported to be weighing up offers from the rebel league.
A group of rugby union nations, including Australia, recently declared a ban on R360 recruits participating in global fixtures.
“We've listened to our clubs and we've taken firm action,” said the league's chief the official.
“Unfortunately, there will persistently exist entities that try to exploit our game for potential financial gain.
“They avoid funding in development systems or the growth of players. They only leverage the efforts of others, jeopardizing careers of monetary damage while gaining personally.
“They are, in reality, counterfeiting a code.”
The organization is established by former England World Cup winner Tindall and backed by independent financiers.
Subsequent to the prospective rugby union sanctions were announced earlier, it stated: “We seek to cooperate collaboratively as integrated into the global rugby calendar.
“The competition is structured with tailored timetables for men's and women's teams and R360 will release all players for global fixtures, as included in their contracts.”
The new league will apply for endorsement for its plans from the international authority, rugby union's regulatory group, at its official gathering next year.
