R360 Competition Athletes Face Decade-Long Suspension from NRL
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck gained 20 caps for New Zealand before switching loyalty to Samoa.
Rugby league's administration has announced that players who enter the “breakaway” R360 league will be prohibited for 10 seasons.
The proposed competition, scheduled to begin in October 2026, is seeking to lure rugby union and rugby league players with lucrative deals and a slimmed-down fixture list.
Top National Rugby League athletes have allegedly been contacted by R360, which will involve six or eight men's clubs and four women's sides located in major cities globally.
The Samoan the rugby star, who plays for his NRL club in the league, has said he has had negotiations involving the breakaway league.
Ryan Papenhuyzen, Lomax, Haas and Jye Gray are also said to be thinking about signing the new competition.
Several leading union teams, including Australia, earlier imposed a ban on R360 recruits playing test matches.
“We've listened to our teams and we've acted decisively,” stated the league's chairman the official.
“Unfortunately, there will always be groups that attempt to hijack our sport for potential financial gain.
“They don't invest in development systems or the growth of talent. They merely capitalize on the hard work of others, jeopardizing careers of monetary damage while profiting themselves.
“They are, in reality, copying the game.”
R360 is launched by former England World Cup winner Tindall and backed by independent financiers.
Subsequent to the potential union prohibitions were declared last week, it stated: “We seek to cooperate in partnership as integrated into the global rugby calendar.
“The series is designed with tailored timetables for male and female sides and the organization will permit participants for test matches, as specified in their agreements.”
The new league will apply for endorsement for its plans from rugby union's governing body, rugby union's regulatory group, at its board session in the coming year.
