R360 League Athletes Face Decade-Long Suspension from Australia's Rugby League
The rugby star earned 20 caps for the Kiwis before changing representation to Samoa.
The NRL's authority has announced that participants who enter the “counterfeit” R360 will be barred for a decade.
R360, scheduled to begin in October 2026, is seeking to lure rugby union and rugby league players with substantial agreements and a condensed game calendar.
Top National Rugby League athletes have reportedly been approached by the new league, which will involve six to eight men's sides and four women's teams located in key urban centers worldwide.
Representing Samoa Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who is with the Warriors in the league, has stated he has had discussions with the breakaway league.
Ryan Papenhuyzen, Zac Lomax, Payne Haas and Jye Gray are also said to be thinking about signing the rebel league.
A group of rugby union nations, including Australia, last week declared a ban on players joining R360 participating in test matches.
“We heard our teams and we've taken firm action,” stated the league's chairman V'Landys.
“Regrettably, there will continually be groups that seek to pirate our sport for economic benefit.
“They avoid funding in pathways or the development of talent. They merely capitalize on the efforts of other organizations, endangering athletes of economic hardship while profiting themselves.
“In truth, they represent, imitating the sport.”
The league is established by ex-England star Mike Tindall and backed by private investors.
After the possible union bans were announced earlier, it said: “We aim to collaborate together as a component of the international rugby schedule.
“The competition is designed with bespoke schedules for men's and women's teams and we will release all players for test matches, as included in their agreements.”
The new league will request authorization for its initiatives from World Rugby, rugby union's governing body, at its council meeting in the coming year.
