🔗 Share this article R360 Recruits Hit With 10-Season Suspension from NRL The rugby star gained 20 international appearances for the Kiwis before transferring loyalty to the Samoan team. Rugby league's governing body has announced that participants who join the “breakaway” R360 competition will be banned for 10 seasons. R360, set to start in late 2026, is seeking to lure rugby union and rugby league players with lucrative deals and a reduced playing schedule. Leading NRL athletes have reportedly received offers by the breakaway group, which will feature six to eight men's sides and four women's sides based in key urban centers globally. The Samoan the player, who represents the Warriors in the competition, has said he has had negotiations involving R360. Papenhuyzen, Zac Lomax, Payne Haas and Gray are also reported to be considering joining R360. Several leading rugby union countries, among them Australia, recently announced a ban on players joining R360 participating in test matches. “We've listened to our clubs and we've acted decisively,” stated the league's chairman Peter V'Landys. “Sadly, there will continually be organizations that seek to pirate our sport for economic benefit. “They don't invest in pathways or the development of talent. They only leverage the hard work of existing bodies, jeopardizing careers of monetary damage while benefiting financially. “They are, in reality, imitating the sport.” R360 is launched by former England World Cup winner Mike Tindall and backed by commercial backers. Subsequent to the prospective union bans were declared recently, it commented: “We want to work together as part of the worldwide fixture list. “The event is structured with customized calendars for both genders and R360 will release all players for test matches, as specified in their contracts.” R360 will request authorization for its proposals from rugby union's governing body, union's governing body, at its board session in 2026.