Brent Read: Be careful, NRL players and agent, just flirting with R360 can result in 10-year ban

The NRL has come down hard on would-be R360 defectors and the devil is in the detail about just how perilous a position some players and agents find themselves, BRENT READ reveals.

R360.

Over to you, Zac. You too, Jye and Paps. Let’s not forget Payne either. The ARL Commission, at the behest of the 17 NRL clubs, has given you something to chew on as you contemplate a switch to rebel rugby union competition R360 and the big bucks on offer.

V’landys and the commission met on Wednesday and arrived at 10-year bans for players and agents who flirt with R360.

In effect, players are facing life bans for batting their eyelids at the rival code. They don’t even have to sign. Mere talks are enough for the bans to potentially come into effect.

Crucially, the bans only apply to negotiations and deals with organisations that the ARL Commission or major bodies don’t recognise.

You can still switch to rugby union, as long as it is with a recognised competition. The bans won’t affect the likes of Joey Manu and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, who are playing the 15-man code in France and Australia respectively.

Nor will it impact on Sydney Roosters star Mark Nawaqanitawase, who is ready to return to rugby union overseas as he pursues a place at the 2027 World Cup.

The bans will only apply to rebel competitions like R360, which have not been recognised by their sport’s governing body.

The major unions across the globe have rejected R360. As it stands, it is a rebel league, albeit one that claims to be cashed-up and ready to spend plenty of that money on players from the NRL.

Zac Lomax has been linked with a switch, even though he has three years remaining on his deal with Parramatta. The drums are beating louder and louder that Ryan Papenhuyzen is on the verge of making the switch.

Jye Gray has had his head turned by huge dollars that South Sydney cannot match. Payne Haas’ agent reached out to the NRL before advancing talks with R360. He wanted to know head office’s stance on R360. He now has his answer.

Payne has a decision to make. So do the others as some of the game’s biggest names contemplate a move to rugby union, their interest fuelled by the promise of tax-free dollars and insane pay days.

R360 has, thus far, refused to share the names of players who have committed to the cause. They insist that the names will remain confidential until they move into the formal announcement phase.

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In response to a direct question about signing rugby league players, they say that they have had overwhelming interest from leading players across both the men’s and women’s game, and they plan to confirm details in due course as part of our planned rollout.

“We’re truly excited to launch our global league next year, which has been designed to showcase the best male and female rugby players in the world, capture the imagination of fans and grow our sport in the years ahead,” they said in a statement to this masthead.

No doubt the plan was to have some rugby league players among their numbers. That may have changed on Wednesday afternoon.

Originally published as Brent Read: Be careful, NRL players and agent, just flirting with R360 can result in 10-year ban