R360 League Players Hit With 10-Year Suspension from Australia's Rugby League
The athlete won 20 test matches for the All Blacks before changing allegiance to the Samoan team.
The NRL's authority has declared that athletes who enter the “breakaway” R360 league will be barred for a decade.
The proposed competition, set to start in October 2026, is hoping to draw rugby union and rugby league players with lucrative deals and a slimmed-down playing schedule.
Prominent National Rugby League players have reportedly been approached by R360, which will include six or eight men's sides and women's teams located in large metropolitan areas around the world.
Representing Samoa the player, who is with New Zealand Warriors in the league, has stated he has had talks with R360.
Papenhuyzen, Lomax, Haas and Jye Gray are also reported to be weighing up offers from the new competition.
A group of union teams, including Australia, earlier declared a prohibition on players joining R360 playing international matches.
“We have consulted our teams and we've acted decisively,” said the league's chief Peter V'Landys.
“Unfortunately, there will persistently exist organizations that attempt to hijack our sport for economic benefit.
“They fail to contribute in development systems or the advancement of players. They simply exploit the dedication of existing bodies, endangering athletes of economic hardship while profiting themselves.
“In truth, they represent, copying the game.”
R360 is launched by ex-England star Mike Tindall and supported by private investors.
After the potential union bans were revealed recently, it commented: “We aim to collaborate collaboratively as a component of the global rugby calendar.
“The competition is arranged with customized calendars for both genders and the organization will permit participants for test matches, as written into their deals.”
R360 will seek approval for its proposals from the international authority, union's administrative organization, at its council meeting in the coming year.
