R360 League Recruits Subject to 10-Year Exclusion from NRL
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck won 20 test matches for the Kiwis before switching allegiance to the Samoan team.
The NRL's governing body has stated that athletes who enter the “counterfeit” R360 competition will be banned for 10 seasons.
The proposed competition, which plans to launch in late 2026, is seeking to lure rugby union and rugby league players with hefty contracts and a reduced fixture list.
Top National Rugby League athletes have allegedly been contacted by the new league, which will feature multiple men's teams and four women's sides located in key urban centers around the world.
Representing Samoa the player, who is with the Warriors in the NRL, has said he has had discussions with the breakaway league.
Ryan Papenhuyzen, Zac Lomax, Haas and Jye Gray are also believed to be considering joining the new competition.
Several leading union countries, such as Australia, earlier imposed a prohibition on athletes signing with R360 participating in test matches.
“We've listened to our clubs and we've taken firm action,” commented the league's chief Peter V'Landys.
“Regrettably, there will continually be groups that try to exploit our game for economic benefit.
“They don't invest in talent pipelines or the growth of players. They only leverage the dedication of other organizations, jeopardizing careers of economic hardship while profiting themselves.
“In truth, they represent, copying the game.”
The league is established by retired international Mike Tindall and backed by private investors.
After the potential rugby union prohibitions were revealed recently, it stated: “We seek to cooperate in partnership as part of the international rugby schedule.
“The event is structured with tailored timetables for male and female sides and we will permit participants for global fixtures, as written into their contracts.”
The new league will seek approval for its proposals from World Rugby, rugby union's regulatory group, at its council meeting next year.
