R360 League Recruits Face Decade-Long Exclusion from NRL
The athlete won 20 caps for the All Blacks before transferring representation to Samoa.
Australian rugby league's authority has stated that players who join the “rebel” R360 league will be banned for a decade.
The proposed competition, scheduled to begin in late 2026, is aiming to attract athletes from both codes with hefty contracts and a condensed fixture list.
Leading National Rugby League athletes have reportedly been approached by R360, which will include multiple men's sides and four women's sides operating from key urban centers worldwide.
Samoa's the player, who plays for New Zealand Warriors in the competition, has said he has had negotiations involving the new organization.
Papenhuyzen, Zac Lomax, Haas and Gray are also reported to be considering joining R360.
Eight major union teams, among them Australia, recently announced a prohibition on athletes signing with R360 participating in test matches.
“We heard our franchises and we've responded strongly,” commented ARLC head Peter V'Landys.
“Unfortunately, there will continually be groups that seek to pirate our code for monetary profit.
“They don't invest in pathways or the growth of players. They simply exploit the efforts of other organizations, putting players at risk of monetary damage while gaining personally.
“In truth, they represent, counterfeiting a code.”
R360 is launched by retired international Tindall and backed by private investors.
Subsequent to the prospective union prohibitions were declared recently, it commented: “We aim to collaborate together as part of the international rugby schedule.
“The series is structured with tailored timetables for men's and women's teams and R360 will permit participants for test matches, as written into their agreements.”
The new league will apply for endorsement for its proposals from the international authority, the sport's regulatory group, at its board session next year.
