R360 Competition Recruits Hit With 10-Year Exclusion from NRL
The rugby star earned 20 test matches for the All Blacks before changing allegiance to Samoa.
Australian rugby league's governing body has declared that athletes who enter the “rebel” R360 league will be banned for a decade.
The proposed competition, scheduled to begin in late 2026, is seeking to lure players from union and league with substantial agreements and a reduced playing schedule.
Top NRL athletes have reportedly received offers by R360, which will involve multiple men's teams and four women's sides operating from key urban centers globally.
The Samoan the player, who plays for the Warriors in the competition, has said he has had discussions with the breakaway league.
Ryan Papenhuyzen, Zac Lomax, Payne Haas and Jye Gray are also said to be considering joining R360.
Several leading union teams, such as Australia, last week imposed a prohibition on players joining R360 participating in international matches.
“We heard our franchises and we've responded strongly,” said Australian Rugby League Commission head V'Landys.
“Unfortunately, there will persistently exist entities that attempt to hijack our sport for monetary profit.
“They avoid funding in talent pipelines or the growth of athletes. They simply exploit the dedication of others, jeopardizing careers of economic hardship while profiting themselves.
“In truth, they represent, copying the game.”
The league is co-founded by former England World Cup winner Tindall and supported by independent financiers.
Following the potential union bans were revealed recently, it said: “We seek to cooperate collaboratively as part of the international rugby schedule.
“The competition is arranged with tailored timetables for men's and women's teams and R360 will allow all athletes for test matches, as included in their agreements.”
R360 will request authorization for its initiatives from rugby union's governing body, the sport's regulatory group, at its official gathering in the coming year.
