R360 League Players Face 10-Season Ban from Australia's Rugby League
The athlete earned 20 international appearances for New Zealand before switching loyalty to the Samoan team.
Rugby league's administration has declared that participants who sign with the “breakaway” R360 competition will be banned for a decade.
The proposed competition, scheduled to begin in October 2026, is seeking to lure athletes from both codes with hefty contracts and a condensed fixture list.
Prominent National Rugby League players have reportedly been approached by R360, which will feature multiple men's clubs and women's teams operating from major cities around the world.
Representing Samoa the rugby star, who represents the Warriors in the NRL, has confirmed he has had talks with the new organization.
Papenhuyzen, Lomax, Haas and Gray are also believed to be weighing up offers from the rebel league.
Several leading rugby union nations, among them Australia, recently imposed a restriction on athletes signing with R360 participating in test matches.
“We've listened to our franchises and we've taken firm action,” said the league's chairman Peter V'Landys.
“Regrettably, there will continually be groups that try to exploit our game for economic benefit.
“They don't invest in pathways or the growth of athletes. They simply exploit the hard work of existing bodies, putting players at risk of monetary damage while profiting themselves.
“In truth, they represent, imitating the sport.”
R360 is established by former England World Cup winner Mike Tindall and backed by private investors.
Following the potential union prohibitions were revealed recently, it stated: “We seek to cooperate together as part of the global rugby calendar.
“The event is structured with tailored timetables for both genders and we will allow all athletes for international matches, as specified in their contracts.”
The new league will seek approval for its proposals from the international authority, the sport's administrative organization, at its board session next year.