R360 League Athletes Subject to Decade-Long Exclusion from National Rugby League
The athlete won 20 caps for New Zealand before changing allegiance to Samoa.
Australian rugby league's governing body has stated that athletes who sign with the “counterfeit” R360 league will be banned for 10 years.
The new league, which plans to launch in late 2026, is hoping to draw players from union and league with substantial agreements and a slimmed-down game calendar.
Top NRL stars have reportedly been approached by the breakaway group, which will involve multiple men's sides and four women's teams operating from key urban centers globally.
Samoa's the rugby star, who is with New Zealand Warriors in the competition, has confirmed he has had negotiations involving the new organization.
Papenhuyzen, Zac Lomax, Payne Haas and Gray are also reported to be considering joining the new competition.
A group of rugby union nations, including Australia, earlier imposed a restriction on R360 recruits playing test matches.
“We have consulted our teams and we've acted decisively,” said the league's chief the official.
“Regrettably, there will continually be groups that try to exploit our game for economic benefit.
“They avoid funding in talent pipelines or the advancement of athletes. They only leverage the efforts of existing bodies, jeopardizing careers of monetary damage while profiting themselves.
“They are, in reality, copying the game.”
The league is launched by retired international Tindall and supported by private investors.
After the prospective rugby union bans were announced earlier, it commented: “We seek to cooperate together as a component of the worldwide fixture list.
“The competition is designed with bespoke schedules for male and female sides and we will allow all athletes for international matches, as specified in their deals.”
R360 will apply for endorsement for its proposals from rugby union's governing body, the sport's regulatory group, at its council meeting in the coming year.
