Destined for court: NRL reveals long bans for defectors

Scott Bailey | October 15, 2025

The players’ union has warned the NRL appears destined for the court room, after head office vowed to ban anyone who defects to R360 from returning for 10 years.

In a strongly worded statement on Wednesday, the NRL upped the ante in its bid to fight off the biggest threat the game has seen since the Super League war.

ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys accused the breakaway rugby competition of counterfeiting the code, and also threatened to ban player managers.

The sanctions include 10-year bans for any player who leaves for the rebel rugby competition, as well as similar suspensions for any agent who acts on their behalf.

The bans would not 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.

In a statement, the NRL said the rules would apply to any competition 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,” ARLC chairman V’landys said.

“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.

The NRL then sought legal advice, before revealing its official response.

But that has been met with scepticism from the Rugby League Players’ Association (RLPA), who warned returning stars would likely challenge the NRL’s ban.

“No one wants to see players leaving the NRL or NRLW,” RLPA chief executive Clint Newton told AAP. 

“But the RLPA is uncertain about the legal basis or enforceability of the proposed bans. 

“We are concerned this is destined to be tested and decided in an Australian court room.”

NRL bosses insisted on Wednesday evening they were comfortable with the game’s position, and would now work with stakeholders on them.

“We have sought advice and are comfortable with our position,” NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo said.

Clubs had discussed last week 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 the league wants to take action against anyone who leaves for a rebel competition.

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,” he 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,” Abdo said.