R360 League Athletes Hit With 10-Year Exclusion from Australia's Rugby League
The rugby star won 20 international appearances for New Zealand before transferring allegiance to the Samoan team.
The NRL's authority has announced that players who enter the “rebel” R360 will be banned for 10 seasons.
R360, which plans to launch in late 2026, is hoping to draw athletes from both codes with lucrative deals and a reduced game calendar.
Prominent rugby league stars have reportedly been approached by R360, which will include six to eight men's clubs and four women's sides based in major cities worldwide.
Representing Samoa the rugby star, who is with his NRL club in the NRL, has said he has had talks with the new organization.
Ryan Papenhuyzen, Zac Lomax, Haas and Jye Gray are also believed to be considering joining the rebel league.
Eight major rugby union nations, among them Australia, recently declared a ban on players joining R360 playing test matches.
“We've listened to our teams and we've taken firm action,” said the league's chief the official.
“Unfortunately, there will always be groups that seek to pirate our sport for economic benefit.
“They fail to contribute in pathways or the advancement of talent. They only leverage the hard work of others, endangering athletes of economic hardship while profiting themselves.
“They are, in reality, copying the game.”
The organization is established by ex-England star Mike Tindall and funded by independent financiers.
Subsequent to the possible rugby union prohibitions were announced earlier, it stated: “We want to work together as part of the worldwide fixture list.
“The event is structured with tailored timetables for both genders and the organization will release all players for international matches, as included in their agreements.”
The new league will request authorization for its initiatives from World Rugby, union's administrative organization, at its board session in 2026.
