R360 Competition Players Subject to 10-Season Ban from National Rugby League
The athlete gained 20 test matches for the Kiwis before changing loyalty to Samoa.
Rugby league's administration has declared that participants who join the “counterfeit” R360 league will be prohibited for 10 seasons.
The proposed competition, which plans to launch in October 2026, is aiming to attract rugby union and rugby league players with hefty contracts and a condensed playing schedule.
Prominent National Rugby League athletes have allegedly been contacted by the new league, which will feature multiple men's clubs and four women's teams located in key urban centers worldwide.
Samoa's the rugby star, who plays for the Warriors in the NRL, has stated he has had negotiations involving the new organization.
Papenhuyzen, Lomax, Haas and Gray are also reported to be considering joining the rebel league.
Several leading union teams, among them Australia, recently announced a restriction on R360 recruits appearing in test matches.
“We heard our teams and we've acted decisively,” commented the league's head the official.
“Unfortunately, there will continually be groups that try to exploit our game for monetary profit.
“They fail to contribute in talent pipelines or the development of athletes. They only leverage the dedication of existing bodies, jeopardizing careers of financial loss while gaining personally.
“They are, in reality, copying the game.”
The league is co-founded by ex-England star Mike Tindall and funded by commercial backers.
Subsequent to the possible rugby union prohibitions were announced recently, it commented: “We aim to collaborate in partnership as integrated into the global rugby calendar.
“The series is arranged with bespoke schedules for men's and women's teams and R360 will release all players for test matches, as included in their contracts.”
R360 will apply for endorsement for its initiatives from the international authority, rugby union's regulatory group, at its council meeting next year.
