R360 Competition Recruits Face 10-Season Suspension from Australia's Rugby League
The athlete won 20 test matches for the Kiwis before transferring representation to the Samoan team.
The NRL's administration has declared that players who join the “counterfeit” R360 league will be barred for 10 years.
R360, which plans to launch in late 2026, is hoping to draw rugby union and rugby league players with lucrative deals and a reduced fixture list.
Prominent National Rugby League athletes have allegedly been contacted by R360, which will involve six to eight men's sides and four women's teams operating from large metropolitan areas globally.
Representing Samoa the rugby star, who is with New Zealand Warriors in the NRL, has said he has had discussions with the new organization.
Papenhuyzen, Lomax, Haas and Gray are also reported to be weighing up offers from R360.
Several leading rugby union teams, including Australia, last week announced a prohibition on R360 recruits playing international matches.
“We heard our teams and we've acted decisively,” said Australian Rugby League Commission head V'Landys.
“Unfortunately, there will continually be entities that try to exploit our code for economic benefit.
“They avoid funding in talent pipelines or the advancement of players. They merely capitalize on the hard work of others, putting players at risk of financial loss while gaining personally.
“They are, in reality, copying the game.”
The organization is established by former England World Cup winner Tindall and funded by commercial backers.
Following the possible rugby union bans were announced last week, it said: “We aim to collaborate together as a component of the global rugby calendar.
“The series is designed with customized calendars for male and female sides and the organization will allow all athletes for global fixtures, as written into their deals.”
R360 will seek approval for its proposals from rugby union's governing body, union's administrative organization, at its board session in 2026.
