R360 Competition Players Hit With Decade-Long Suspension from National Rugby League
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck won 20 caps for the Kiwis before switching allegiance to the Samoan team.
The NRL's governing body has announced that athletes who join the “counterfeit” R360 league will be barred for a decade.
R360, set to start in October 2026, is seeking to lure players from union and league with hefty contracts and a reduced playing schedule.
Prominent NRL players have reportedly received offers by the new league, which will feature multiple men's sides and four women's sides operating from large metropolitan areas globally.
Samoa's the rugby star, who represents his NRL club in the competition, has stated he has had negotiations involving R360.
Ryan Papenhuyzen, Zac Lomax, Haas and Jye Gray are also believed to be considering joining the rebel league.
Several leading union countries, among them Australia, earlier imposed a prohibition on R360 recruits playing international matches.
“We've listened to our clubs and we've taken firm action,” stated ARLC chairman Peter V'Landys.
“Unfortunately, there will always be entities that attempt to hijack our game for economic benefit.
“They fail to contribute in pathways or the advancement of players. They merely capitalize on the efforts of others, endangering athletes of economic hardship while profiting themselves.
“They are, in reality, counterfeiting a code.”
R360 is established by retired international Mike Tindall and funded by independent financiers.
Subsequent to the possible union bans were declared last week, it stated: “We want to work collaboratively as integrated into the worldwide fixture list.
“The event is designed with bespoke schedules for men's and women's teams and R360 will release all players for test matches, as specified in their contracts.”
R360 will request authorization for its proposals from the international authority, union's regulatory group, at its official gathering in 2026.
