🔗 Share this article R360 Competition Players Hit With Decade-Long Exclusion from NRL The athlete earned 20 international appearances for the Kiwis before transferring representation to Samoa. Rugby league's governing body has announced that participants who join the “rebel” R360 will be prohibited for 10 years. The new league, scheduled to begin in 2026, is seeking to lure athletes from both codes with hefty contracts and a reduced playing schedule. Prominent rugby league stars have allegedly been contacted by the new league, which will feature six to eight men's teams and four women's teams located in major cities around the world. The Samoan Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who is with his NRL club in the league, has said he has had negotiations involving the breakaway league. Ryan Papenhuyzen, Lomax, Payne Haas and Gray are also said to be weighing up offers from the new competition. A group of union teams, among them Australia, last week imposed a prohibition on R360 recruits appearing in global fixtures. “We have consulted our franchises and we've responded strongly,” said ARLC chairman the official. “Unfortunately, there will continually be groups that attempt to hijack our game for economic benefit. “They fail to contribute in development systems or the development of players. They merely capitalize on the hard work of existing bodies, endangering athletes of economic hardship while gaining personally. “They are, in reality, imitating the sport.” R360 is launched by former England World Cup winner Mike Tindall and funded by private investors. After the possible rugby union prohibitions were declared recently, it stated: “We want to work together as integrated into the worldwide fixture list. “The series is designed with customized calendars for male and female sides and we will permit participants for international matches, as specified in their deals.” R360 will seek approval for its initiatives from the international authority, rugby union's administrative organization, at its board session in 2026.