- League has come down hard on stunning threat
The NRL has vowed to ban any player who leaves the code for R360 for 10 years, as it fights to fend off the threat of the breakaway rugby competition.
In a strongly worded statement on Wednesday, the NRL also threatened to ban any agent if they take a player to the rebel competition.
It is understood any player suspensions would not come into force until after the player has left the NRL, meaning defectors could still be free to play out 2026.
The likes of Ryan Papenhuyzen, Zac Lomax, Payne Haas, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Jye Gray are among those believed to be considering moving to the competition, which is so cashed-up it could reportedly offer a star like Haas $3million a year.
It has also been reported that Reece Walsh and Nathan Cleary have been directly targeted by the breakaway venture,
In a statement, the NRL said the rules would apply to any competition that is not recognised as a national sporting organisation by the ARL Commission.
‘The Commission has a clear duty to act in the best interests of rugby league and its fans,’ ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys said.
Reece Walsh has reportedly been directly targeted by the rebel R360 rugby union competition – and if he signs, he’ll be banned from the NRL for a decade
Broncos big gun Payne Haas (pictured with partner Leilani Mohenoa) is believed to be considering a move to the breakaway league, which would earn him mountains of money
‘We will take all necessary steps to protect the future of the game.
‘Unfortunately, there will always be organisations that seek to pirate our game for potential financial gain.
‘They don’t invest in pathways or the development of players.
‘They simply exploit the hard work of others, putting players at risk of financial loss while profiting themselves.
‘They are, in reality, counterfeiting a code.’
The measures come after the NRL last week met with the 17 club bosses, who asked for action against any defecting players and their managers.
Clubs had discussed whether the rules could apply to all players who defected, or only those who broke contracts to do so.
But Wednesday’s statement makes it clear that the league wants to take action against anyone who leaves for a rebel competition.
Storm star Ryan Papenhuyzen is reportedly also a chance of switching away from the NRL
V’landys has previously labelled R360 as a competition that has ‘come out of a corn-flakes box’, warning players risk not being paid by joining such leagues.
‘If it all goes wrong it’s the players who suffer most,’ V’landys said on Wednesday.
‘Every stakeholder must be accountable to the standards our fans expect. We’ve listened to our clubs, and we’ve acted decisively.’
The NRL would have a right to lift the ban, but says it would only be done in ‘exceptionally extenuating circumstances’ on a ‘case-by-case basis’.
It comes after Rugby Australia last week banned any player who joins R360 from representing the Wallabies, with that stance taken by seven other countries.
‘This policy reflects the united stance of the Commission and NRL clubs,’ NRL CEO Andrew Abdo said.
‘We will not allow unrecognised competitions to undermine the integrity, professionalism and future of rugby league.’
