Eels star Zac Lomax is rumoured to be close to inking a deal with rebel rugby union competition R360 despite having three years on his contract as the threat to the NRL increases.

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Speaking on NRL 360, Braith Anasta revealed that he has heard a rumour that Lomax could walk out on the final three years of his Eels contract to link with R360.

“There have been rumours around (Ryan) Papenhuyzen and Nelson Asofa-Solomona,” Anasta said on Fox League’s NRL 360.

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“I’ve been doing bit of digging around and talking to people, and I heard a rumour today that Zac Lomax is about to sign a deal with them (R360) and there is a big chance he’s played his last game for Parramatta.”

The 26-year-old has scored has scored 58 tries in 133 games for the Dragons and Eels and is the incumbent Blues and Kangaroos winger having played six Origins and three Tests to date.

Lomax is one of several NRL stars linked with the rebel competition in recent times, including Storm Grand Final star Papenhuyzen, Warriors winger Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Souths young gun Jye Gray among others.

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Zac Lomax is rumoured to be joining R360.Source: Getty Images

Anasta is adamant R360 can be a real threat to the NRL and has to be taken seriously, especially if the strong rumours around Lomax prove correct.

“It’s speculation, but I’ve heard it from someone close to R360 and it’s something we need to keep an eye on because I believe this is starting to get serious,” Anasta said.

“This rumour is the strongest one I’ve heard yet.”

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Losing an incumbent Origin and Test star would be a huge blow for the NRL, particularly given Lomax is tipped to be part of Kevvie Walters’ Ashes Tour later this month.

However, the NRL clubs are following the R360 developments closely and have implored the governing body to stop players breaking contracts to join the rebel league.

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ARLC boss Peter V’landys has been a vocal sceptic of R360, but stressed players who walk out on NRL contract face punishment from the game’s governing body.

“Anything that doesn’t have a business model or a financier or a backer, you can’t take seriously,” V’landys said on radio this week.

“The clubs want the NRL to take some pretty harsh action and we’re considering it.

“If you have a contract with the NRL we expect you to honour it—and if you don’t, there are going to be consequences.”