R360 Recruits Face 10-Season Suspension from Australia's Rugby League
The athlete gained 20 test matches for New Zealand before changing representation to the Samoan team.
The NRL's authority has announced that participants who join the “breakaway” R360 league will be banned for 10 seasons.
R360, which plans to launch in late 2026, is hoping to draw athletes from both codes with substantial agreements and a reduced game calendar.
Leading rugby league athletes have reportedly been approached by the breakaway group, which will feature six to eight men's sides and women's teams operating from large metropolitan areas globally.
Samoa's the player, who plays for the Warriors in the league, has stated he has had talks with the breakaway league.
Papenhuyzen, Lomax, Haas and Gray are also said to be weighing up offers from the new competition.
Eight major union teams, including Australia, recently declared a restriction on players joining R360 participating in international matches.
“We heard our clubs and we've acted decisively,” commented ARLC head V'Landys.
“Regrettably, there will persistently exist groups that try to exploit our sport for economic benefit.
“They avoid funding in pathways or the growth of athletes. They simply exploit the efforts of others, endangering athletes of financial loss while benefiting financially.
“In truth, they represent, counterfeiting a code.”
R360 is established by ex-England star Mike Tindall and funded by private investors.
Following the prospective rugby union bans were declared earlier, it stated: “We want to work together as a component of the worldwide fixture list.
“The series is designed with bespoke schedules for men's and women's teams and we will permit participants for international matches, as included in their deals.”
R360 will request authorization for its proposals from rugby union's governing body, the sport's regulatory group, at its board session in 2026.
