R360 Players Face Decade-Long Exclusion from Australia's Rugby League
The athlete earned 20 test matches for the All Blacks before switching loyalty to the Samoan team.
Rugby league's authority has announced that participants who sign with the “counterfeit” R360 will be banned for 10 seasons.
The proposed competition, set to start in October 2026, is seeking to lure athletes from both codes with hefty contracts and a condensed game calendar.
Leading National Rugby League stars have reportedly been approached by the new league, which will feature six to eight men's clubs and women's teams based in large metropolitan areas around the world.
The Samoan the player, who is with New Zealand Warriors in the league, has confirmed he has had discussions with the new organization.
Ryan Papenhuyzen, Zac Lomax, Haas and Jye Gray are also believed to be thinking about signing the rebel league.
Eight major rugby union nations, such as Australia, recently announced a restriction on athletes signing with R360 participating in international matches.
“We have consulted our franchises and we've acted decisively,” said Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V'Landys.
“Regrettably, there will continually be entities that seek to pirate our sport for monetary profit.
“They don't invest in talent pipelines or the growth of players. They simply exploit the dedication of others, jeopardizing careers of monetary damage while profiting themselves.
“Essentially, they are, copying the game.”
R360 is co-founded by former England World Cup winner Tindall and funded by commercial backers.
After the potential rugby union prohibitions were declared last week, it commented: “We aim to collaborate in partnership as integrated into the international rugby schedule.
“The event is structured with customized calendars for male and female sides and the organization will allow all athletes for global fixtures, as written into their agreements.”
The breakaway group will request authorization for its proposals from the international authority, rugby union's administrative organization, at its council meeting in the coming year.
