R360 Competition Recruits Hit With Decade-Long Ban from National Rugby League
The athlete earned 20 caps for New Zealand before changing representation to the Samoan team.
Rugby league's authority has declared that participants who sign with the “rebel” R360 competition will be prohibited for 10 seasons.
The proposed competition, which plans to launch in October 2026, is aiming to attract athletes from both codes with hefty contracts and a slimmed-down playing schedule.
Prominent National Rugby League athletes have allegedly been contacted by the breakaway group, which will involve six or eight men's sides and four women's teams based in major cities worldwide.
The Samoan the player, who plays for the Warriors in the NRL, has confirmed he has had talks with R360.
Ryan Papenhuyzen, Zac Lomax, Payne Haas and Jye Gray are also reported to be considering joining the rebel league.
Eight major union countries, such as Australia, last week imposed a ban on players joining R360 playing test matches.
“We heard our teams and we've acted decisively,” said ARLC chief the official.
“Sadly, there will always be groups that attempt to hijack our game for potential financial gain.
“They avoid funding in development systems or the advancement of athletes. They simply exploit the efforts of existing bodies, endangering athletes of financial loss while profiting themselves.
“Essentially, they are, copying the game.”
The organization is co-founded by retired international Tindall and funded by private investors.
Following the possible rugby union sanctions were revealed earlier, it said: “We seek to cooperate collaboratively as a component of the international rugby schedule.
“The competition is arranged with bespoke schedules for both genders and we will permit participants for international matches, as specified in their deals.”
R360 will apply for endorsement for its proposals from World Rugby, rugby union's administrative organization, at its board session in the coming year.
