R360 Competition Recruits Subject to 10-Season Ban from Australia's Rugby League
The athlete gained 20 international appearances for the All Blacks before switching allegiance to the Samoan team.
The NRL's administration has stated that players who join the “breakaway” R360 competition will be banned for 10 seasons.
R360, scheduled to begin in 2026, is seeking to lure athletes from both codes with lucrative deals and a reduced game calendar.
Top National Rugby League athletes have allegedly been contacted by the new league, which will feature six or eight men's teams and four women's sides based in key urban centers globally.
Representing Samoa the player, who plays for New Zealand Warriors in the NRL, has said he has had negotiations involving the new organization.
Papenhuyzen, Lomax, Haas and Gray are also believed to be weighing up offers from the new competition.
A group of union nations, such as Australia, recently imposed a ban on athletes signing with R360 appearing in test matches.
“We heard our franchises and we've acted decisively,” stated ARLC head the official.
“Unfortunately, there will always be entities that seek to pirate our code for economic benefit.
“They fail to contribute in development systems or the growth of talent. They simply exploit the hard work of other organizations, jeopardizing careers of financial loss while benefiting financially.
“In truth, they represent, imitating the sport.”
The league is co-founded by ex-England star Mike Tindall and funded by private investors.
After the prospective union bans were declared recently, it stated: “We want to work together as a component of the worldwide fixture list.
“The series is structured with tailored timetables for men's and women's teams and the organization will release all players for global fixtures, as included in their contracts.”
The new league will apply for endorsement for its proposals from World Rugby, the sport's administrative organization, at its board session in the coming year.
