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How to tune into Sport NationRLPA slams V'landys for going public with R360 ban threat
SEN • November 26th, 2025 10:40 am
Peter V'landys and Andrew Abdo
CEO of the Rugby League Players Association, Clint Newton, has criticised Peter V’landys for going public with a threat to ban players defecting to R360 and says it would never hold up in court.
Last month, amid significant speculation that some of the biggest names in NRL were set to be poached by the rebel league, V’landys announced that any player or manager seen to be making deals with R360 would be outcast from NRL for a decade.
Some thought it presented a strong response from the NRL CEO, while others questioned its legality.
For Newton is initiated an avalanche of player welfare questions and debate over whether players could “be handcuffed to the sport”.
"We do not support players breaking contracts or leveraging away from their contracts. It's an epidemic in our game,” he told SEN 1170 Breakfast.
"There's risk involved in players going to R360 (but) we believe (these bans) are short-sighted.
"No (it would not hold up in court). It was disappointing to see those comments publicly.
"Why restrict players' ability to use their IPs? Why aren't we using this to grow the game and align ourselves with North American sports.
“Putting an arbitrary ban, which we don't believe will hold, we are missing a chance to be innovate and progressive with our game and keep our best players in the game."
ARLC slaps monster ban on players signing with R360 | Millsy & Guy
At least 12 NRL players have been linked with a move to the league which is offering seven-figure salaries in a “Formula 1 style” global competition.
The league, backed by former England centre Mike Tindall, is hoping to establish eight men’s franchises and four women’s in 2026.
The likes of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Payne Haas, Isaah Yeo, Xavier Coates and even Reece Walsh have been linked with defecting, and while not wishing talent to leave Australia, Newton believes uncontracted players should be free to negotiate where they please.
"I don't see what the problem is with that,” he said when asked about uncontracted players looking elsewhere.
"We aren't supporting players leaving our game. What we are saying is that if you decide to leave, that's your free choice.
"It's a fundamental employment right (and) we can't handcuff people to this code."
Only this week V’landys doubled down on the ban threat and insisted it is air tight legally.
“It’s amazing how many expert lawyers have come out of the woodwork, there’s 100 Dennis Denutos out there thinking they know the law,” he said.
“They can take us on legally.
“We welcome it, because we are comfortable with our legal position.
“Any player who signs with R360 will be banned for 10 years, simple as that.
“It (the 10-year ban) is absolutely enforceable. Our legal position is strong. We have consulted our legal team. We wouldn’t have announced this ban unless we had solid legal vision.
“I have said we will ban players and agents for 10 years and what we promise, we follow through on.”
Sione Faumuina warns NRLplayers considering R360 | Millsy & Guy
