R360 Competition Athletes Hit With 10-Season Ban from National Rugby League
The athlete earned 20 test matches for New Zealand before changing loyalty to Samoa.
Australian rugby league's governing body has declared that participants who join the “rebel” R360 league will be prohibited for 10 seasons.
R360, scheduled to begin in October 2026, is hoping to draw rugby union and rugby league players with lucrative deals and a condensed game calendar.
Prominent rugby league stars have reportedly been approached by the breakaway group, which will feature six to eight men's sides and four women's sides based in large metropolitan areas worldwide.
Samoa's the rugby star, who plays for the Warriors in the competition, has said he has had discussions with R360.
Papenhuyzen, Lomax, Haas and Jye Gray are also reported to be thinking about signing the rebel league.
Eight major union countries, among them Australia, earlier imposed a restriction on athletes signing with R360 participating in global fixtures.
“We have consulted our franchises and we've acted decisively,” said ARLC head V'Landys.
“Sadly, there will always be groups that seek to pirate our code for monetary profit.
“They fail to contribute in talent pipelines or the growth of talent. They only leverage the dedication of existing bodies, putting players at risk of financial loss while benefiting financially.
“In truth, they represent, copying the game.”
The league is launched by ex-England star Mike Tindall and supported by independent financiers.
Following the prospective union bans were announced last week, it stated: “We aim to collaborate collaboratively as integrated into the worldwide fixture list.
“The series is arranged with tailored timetables for both genders and R360 will allow all athletes for global fixtures, as written into their contracts.”
The new league will apply for endorsement for its initiatives from rugby union's governing body, union's administrative organization, at its official gathering next year.
