R360 League Players Face Decade-Long Exclusion from National Rugby League
The athlete earned 20 caps for the Kiwis before changing loyalty to Samoa.
Rugby league's governing body has announced that participants who sign with the “breakaway” R360 league will be barred for 10 years.
R360, set to start in 2026, is seeking to lure rugby union and rugby league players with substantial agreements and a slimmed-down game calendar.
Top rugby league players have allegedly been contacted by the new league, which will involve six to eight men's sides and four women's teams located in major cities around the world.
The Samoan the player, who represents his NRL club in the NRL, has stated he has had discussions with the breakaway league.
Ryan Papenhuyzen, Zac Lomax, Haas and Gray are also believed to be thinking about signing the new competition.
Several leading rugby union countries, such as Australia, earlier announced a restriction on athletes signing with R360 participating in global fixtures.
“We have consulted our franchises and we've responded strongly,” said the league's chief the official.
“Sadly, there will always be groups that attempt to hijack our sport for monetary profit.
“They avoid funding in development systems or the advancement of athletes. They only leverage the dedication of others, endangering athletes of financial loss while profiting themselves.
“They are, in reality, copying the game.”
R360 is launched by retired international Mike Tindall and funded by commercial backers.
After the prospective rugby union sanctions were declared last week, it stated: “We seek to cooperate together as part of the global rugby calendar.
“The series is structured with customized calendars for both genders and the organization will release all players for global fixtures, as specified in their contracts.”
The breakaway group will apply for endorsement for its proposals from rugby union's governing body, rugby union's regulatory group, at its official gathering in 2026.
