The Parramatta Eels are expected to ramp up their push to sign Keaon Koloamatangi from the Rabbitohs now that Zac Lomax has made an immediate departure from the NRL. The Eels announced on Sunday night that Lomax was granted an immediate release with three years left on his contract “to pursue opportunities outside the NRL”.
The NSW and Australia winger has been heavily linked to rebel rugby union competition R360. On Monday, The Daily Telegraph reported that Parramatta’s bid to sign Koloamatangi has been “strengthened” by Lomax’s exit.
Koloamatangi made his debut for Australia in the recent Ashes series, coming off the bench in all three Tests against England. The 27-year-old forward also played State of Origin for NSW in 2023 and previously played 10 Tests for Tonga before switching his allegiance to Australia.
The Eels are pursuing Kangaroos player Keaon Koloamatangi (left at top), and have money freed up now that Zac Lomax (R) is gone. Image: Getty
Koloamatangi was a revelation for the Rabbitohs in 2025, and was easily their best player in a season plagued by multiple injuries to their stars. He’s only under contract until the end of 2026, making him free to speak to rival clubs about a deal for 2027.
The Eels were being touted as potential suitors for Koloamatangi before Lomax’s exit was confirmed, and the club will now ramp up its pursuit of the Test and Origin forward. Lomax was on a reported $650,000 per season with the Eels, meaning they suddenly have around $2 million to spend.
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They have a ready-made wing replacement in Bailey Simonsson, after he patched his relationship with coach Jason Ryles and was welcomed back into the fold. Simonsson had reportedly asked for a release in the middle of the season, but is now on the cusp of winning back a starting spot.
Koloamatangi would strengthen a Parramatta forward pack stacked with quality youngsters. They’ve parted ways with veterans like Shaun Lane, Ryan Matterson and Bryce Cartwright, but still have old heads like Junior Paulo and Dylan Walker for experience.
The Eels could replace Zac Lomax (L) with another Test player in Keaon Koloamatangi (R). Image: Getty
Parramatta CEO backs Jason Ryles’ master plan
On Monday morning, leading journalist Michael Carayannis said Eels fans should be “filthy” with Lomax calling it quits. But the club’s chief executive Jim Sarantinos has urged fans to have faith in Ryles’ plan, and their minds could change if they get Koloamatangi.
“I think the view (from Ryles) was that if we have a player whose focus may be elsewhere and the opportunities came to exit that situation sooner rather than later, and it gives you an opportunity to strengthen your roster somewhere else, why not do that,” Sarantinos told The Daily Telegraph. “It’s not something we have been planning for the long term. But obviously we’ll look internally, we’ll look at who is available and we will look at the balance of the roster.”
Sarantinos said he wasn’t sure about what Lomax is planning next, or whether he’ll sign up for R360. The NRL has threatened bans of 10 years to players who break an NRL contract to sign with R360, but Sarantinos said he wasn’t aware if that played into Lomax’s decision.
One chain of thought is that Lomax might play some rugby in Japan before R360 starts in October next year. It’s unclear whether the NRL could impose a 10-year ban on a player who signs elsewhere in between the NRL and R360.