R360 Competition Recruits Hit With Decade-Long Suspension from Australia's Rugby League
The athlete earned 20 caps for the Kiwis before transferring representation to Samoa.
Australian rugby league's administration has announced that athletes who join the “breakaway” R360 league will be banned for 10 seasons.
R360, which plans to launch in late 2026, is aiming to attract players from union and league with substantial agreements and a reduced game calendar.
Top National Rugby League stars have allegedly been contacted by R360, which will feature six to eight men's clubs and four women's sides located in major cities around the world.
Samoa's Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who plays for the Warriors in the NRL, has stated he has had negotiations involving the breakaway league.
Ryan Papenhuyzen, Lomax, Haas and Jye Gray are also reported to be weighing up offers from the new competition.
Eight major union teams, among them Australia, recently declared a restriction on athletes signing with R360 participating in international matches.
“We've listened to our teams and we've acted decisively,” stated ARLC head Peter V'Landys.
“Unfortunately, there will always be organizations that seek to pirate our sport for potential financial gain.
“They don't invest in talent pipelines or the advancement of athletes. They only leverage the hard work of existing bodies, endangering athletes of financial loss while profiting themselves.
“Essentially, they are, imitating the sport.”
R360 is established by ex-England star Mike Tindall and backed by commercial backers.
Following the prospective union sanctions were revealed earlier, it stated: “We aim to collaborate in partnership as integrated into the worldwide fixture list.
“The series is arranged with tailored timetables for both genders and the organization will permit participants for international matches, as specified in their agreements.”
The new league will seek approval for its plans from World Rugby, rugby union's administrative organization, at its council meeting in 2026.
