Zac Lomax and Ryan Papenhuyzen could be seen playing in an American rugby union competition next year as a potential pathway before a rumoured stint in R360.
Both Lomax and Papenhuyzen pushed for early releases from their deals with the Eels and Storm respectively after being linked to the rebel union competition.
While R360 deals for either player hasn’t been announced or confirmed, comments from former Wallaby Steve Hoiles suggests that both players are heading to R360, which is being slated to kick off in late 2026.
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Hoiles is now the head coach and director of rugby of Major League Rugby club the Californian Legion.
Hoiles revealed to Code Sports that while he hasn’t spoken to either player individually, he has had talks with the agents of Lomax and Papenhuyzen.
“They are looking at what would be the right pathways for those guys if R360 starts in October,” Hoiles said.
Hoiles believed the US route would benefit any NRL player who plans on heading to R360, comparing the American league to a much more cutthroat competition in Europe.
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“There are a lot of benefits for those guys. They get to learn the game and in good programs. They get to do it out of the spotlight. The French teams pay a lot for their foreigners and they expect them to deliver,” he said.
“The money in USA rugby isn’t great. Our salary cap is $1 million in total spend.
“It’s getting pretty tight on timings for next year but it would be good for those guys to get reintroduced for rugby if R360 happens later in the year.”
This development comes amid the news that Lomax has been sparring UFC fighters in Wollongong and could be eyeing a professional fight in either UFC or boxing.