R360 Recruits Face Decade-Long Suspension from Australia's Rugby League
The athlete won 20 international appearances for the Kiwis before switching allegiance to Samoa.
Australian rugby league's administration has declared that players who join the “counterfeit” R360 competition will be barred for 10 seasons.
R360, which plans to launch in late 2026, is hoping to draw players from union and league with lucrative deals and a condensed fixture list.
Prominent rugby league players have reportedly received offers by R360, which will include multiple men's clubs and women's teams operating from large metropolitan areas around the world.
The Samoan the player, who is with his NRL club in the NRL, has confirmed he has had talks with the new organization.
Ryan Papenhuyzen, Lomax, Payne Haas and Jye Gray are also said to be considering joining the new competition.
A group of rugby union countries, such as Australia, earlier announced a restriction on players joining R360 appearing in global fixtures.
“We've listened to our franchises and we've responded strongly,” stated the league's head the official.
“Sadly, there will persistently exist groups that seek to pirate our code for economic benefit.
“They fail to contribute in development systems or the development of athletes. They only leverage the hard work of existing bodies, endangering athletes of monetary damage while gaining personally.
“They are, in reality, copying the game.”
The league is launched by retired international Mike Tindall and supported by independent financiers.
After the prospective union prohibitions were declared last week, it said: “We want to work collaboratively as part of the worldwide fixture list.
“The series is structured with tailored timetables for men's and women's teams and the organization will allow all athletes for international matches, as included in their agreements.”
The breakaway group will request authorization for its plans from rugby union's governing body, rugby union's governing body, at its board session in 2026.
