R360 Players Face 10-Season Ban from Australia's Rugby League
The athlete won 20 international appearances for New Zealand before switching representation to Samoa.
Rugby league's governing body has announced that participants who join the “counterfeit” R360 will be prohibited for 10 years.
The proposed competition, set to start in 2026, is aiming to attract athletes from both codes with hefty contracts and a condensed playing schedule.
Leading NRL athletes have reportedly been approached by the new league, which will include multiple men's teams and women's teams based in large metropolitan areas worldwide.
The Samoan the rugby star, who represents New Zealand Warriors in the league, has said he has had discussions with R360.
Papenhuyzen, Zac Lomax, Haas and Gray are also believed to be thinking about signing R360.
A group of union countries, among them Australia, earlier announced a prohibition on athletes signing with R360 participating in international matches.
“We have consulted our franchises and we've acted decisively,” stated the league's chairman Peter V'Landys.
“Unfortunately, there will continually be organizations that attempt to hijack our game for monetary profit.
“They avoid funding in pathways or the advancement of athletes. They simply exploit the dedication of existing bodies, endangering athletes of financial loss while gaining personally.
“In truth, they represent, imitating the sport.”
The organization is launched by retired international Mike Tindall and funded by private investors.
After the potential union prohibitions were revealed last week, it said: “We seek to cooperate together as part of the worldwide fixture list.
“The series is arranged with tailored timetables for male and female sides and R360 will allow all athletes for global fixtures, as specified in their contracts.”
R360 will seek approval for its initiatives from rugby union's governing body, rugby union's administrative organization, at its council meeting in 2026.
