R360 Competition Recruits Subject to 10-Season Exclusion from National Rugby League
The athlete earned 20 test matches for New Zealand before switching allegiance to the Samoan team.
The NRL's authority has announced that participants who sign with the “rebel” R360 competition will be barred for a decade.
R360, set to start in 2026, is aiming to attract players from union and league with substantial agreements and a slimmed-down game calendar.
Prominent National Rugby League players have reportedly received offers by the new league, which will include six to eight men's teams and four women's teams located in large metropolitan areas around the world.
Representing Samoa the rugby star, who is with New Zealand Warriors in the NRL, has stated he has had talks with the breakaway league.
Papenhuyzen, Zac Lomax, Haas and Jye Gray are also reported to be thinking about signing R360.
Eight major rugby union nations, including Australia, last week declared a prohibition on players joining R360 participating in global fixtures.
“We heard our franchises and we've responded strongly,” stated the league's chief Peter V'Landys.
“Sadly, there will always be groups that attempt to hijack our game for monetary profit.
“They fail to contribute in talent pipelines or the advancement of athletes. They simply exploit the efforts of other organizations, endangering athletes of monetary damage while gaining personally.
“Essentially, they are, counterfeiting a code.”
The league is established by ex-England star Tindall and backed by private investors.
Subsequent to the potential union sanctions were announced last week, it stated: “We aim to collaborate together as a component of the international rugby schedule.
“The event is arranged with customized calendars for both genders and R360 will allow all athletes for international matches, as included in their contracts.”
The new league will apply for endorsement for its initiatives from rugby union's governing body, union's regulatory group, at its council meeting in 2026.
