R360 Players Face Decade-Long Ban from NRL
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck won 20 test matches for New Zealand before changing loyalty to the Samoan team.
Rugby league's administration has announced that players who sign with the “breakaway” R360 will be prohibited for a decade.
The new league, set to start in late 2026, is seeking to lure rugby union and rugby league players with lucrative deals and a slimmed-down game calendar.
Top rugby league players have allegedly been contacted by R360, which will involve multiple men's clubs and four women's sides based in large metropolitan areas globally.
The Samoan the rugby star, who plays for his NRL club in the competition, has said he has had discussions with R360.
Papenhuyzen, Lomax, Haas and Gray are also reported to be thinking about signing the new competition.
A group of union countries, among them Australia, last week imposed a prohibition on R360 recruits appearing in global fixtures.
“We heard our clubs and we've taken firm action,” commented ARLC head V'Landys.
“Regrettably, there will persistently exist organizations that seek to pirate our sport for monetary profit.
“They avoid funding in development systems or the growth of players. They merely capitalize on the dedication of others, jeopardizing careers of monetary damage while gaining personally.
“Essentially, they are, counterfeiting a code.”
The organization is established by former England World Cup winner Mike Tindall and funded by independent financiers.
Following the prospective union sanctions were revealed recently, it stated: “We seek to cooperate together as part of the international rugby schedule.
“The event is arranged with tailored timetables for male and female sides and we will permit participants for test matches, as specified in their contracts.”
The breakaway group will seek approval for its plans from the international authority, union's regulatory group, at its council meeting in the coming year.
