R360 Competition Athletes Face Decade-Long Suspension from Australia's Rugby League
The athlete earned 20 caps for New Zealand before transferring representation to Samoa.
Australian rugby league's administration has stated that participants who enter the “counterfeit” R360 competition will be banned for 10 years.
The proposed competition, set to start in 2026, is seeking to lure athletes from both codes with hefty contracts and a condensed game calendar.
Top National Rugby League athletes have reportedly been approached by the breakaway group, which will involve multiple men's sides and women's teams located in large metropolitan areas worldwide.
The Samoan the rugby star, who is with his NRL club in the NRL, has stated he has had talks with the new organization.
Papenhuyzen, Zac Lomax, Payne Haas and Gray are also said to be weighing up offers from the rebel league.
Several leading rugby union teams, among them Australia, last week announced a prohibition on players joining R360 appearing in test matches.
“We heard our franchises and we've acted decisively,” stated Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V'Landys.
“Unfortunately, there will always be entities that seek to pirate our sport for economic benefit.
“They fail to contribute in development systems or the growth of talent. They only leverage the efforts of others, jeopardizing careers of monetary damage while benefiting financially.
“They are, in reality, copying the game.”
R360 is launched by former England World Cup winner Mike Tindall and supported by independent financiers.
Subsequent to the potential union bans were revealed recently, it commented: “We want to work in partnership as a component of the worldwide fixture list.
“The competition is arranged with tailored timetables for male and female sides and R360 will release all players for test matches, as written into their deals.”
R360 will apply for endorsement for its plans from World Rugby, the sport's regulatory group, at its official gathering next year.
