The decision from R360 officials to postpone the rebel rugby union competition’s start date by two years has left two high-profile NRL stars in career limbo.
Initially, the cashed-up league was slated to begin in 2026 but that has been delayed, raising huge question marks over the futures of Ryan Papenhuyzen and Zac Lomax.
Both men were firmly in the sights of R360 and Wide World of Sports understand that Lomax had agreed to a multi-million dollar move.
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The star winger is now stuck in purgatory, given the fact a reported condition of his release from the Parramatta Eels with three years to run on his contract was that he couldn’t sign with another NRL club until the end of 2028, unless the stance changes.
Zac Lomax Getty
Lomax has already been linked with multiple other destinations including French or Japanese rugby, Super League or even a switch to combat sports.
The possibility of the 26-year-old joining a Super Rugby team and pushing for a spot in the Wallabies squad for the next World Cup has also been raised.
Papenhuyzen on the other hand is a free agent in the true sense and, realistically, he could sign with another NRL club at any moment for the 2026 season and beyond.
The 27-year-old is a premiership winner with the Melbourne Storm and despite some tough times due to injury, still has plenty of elite football ahead of him.
His manager Clinton Schifoske told News Corp that the R360 delay makes no difference for Papenhuyzen, who was seeking time away from playing either way.
But if he does look to return to the NRL – whether that be next week, next month or next year – Papenhuyzen will have no shortage of possible suitors.
Melbourne are unlikely to bring Papenhuyzen back into the fold, given young gun Sua Faalogo is signed long-term, but there are no limitations on where else he could go.
The most obvious spot would be the Perth Bears, who will join the competition in 2027 and are still desperate for a marquee recruit for their inaugural campaign.
Ryan Papenhuyzen Getty
Papenhuyzen would bring experience and class to the organisation both on and off the field, while it could help the Bears attract other big-name stars across to WA.
A move to Perth for the following season would also allow Papenhuyzen to have time off and potentially play rugby overseas for a short stint, which has been rumoured.
If he wanted to get back on the horse sooner rather than later, there would be a handful of clubs with the salary cap space and roster room for a player of his calibre.
Canterbury are never far away from the player market and there is plenty of conjecture over who the club’s long-term fullback will be under coach Cameron Ciraldo.
Connor Tracey has done a solid job over the past two years but is coming off-contract, while injury-plagued recruit Kade Dykes is on a one-year deal.
Could a speedster like Papenhuyzen be the solution to the No.1 jumper at Belmore? It would certainly give the Bulldogs some X-factor and speed in their backline.
Cronulla are also in an interesting position when it comes to the fullback role, with Will Kennedy only signing a one-year extension for 2026.
Will Kennedy runs with the ball. Â Getty
The 28-year-old Bathurst product has played six full season as the Sharks fullback and has developed into a fine player, but has never truly felt like the man at the club.
Kennedy isn’t alone as a player from the Sharks facing an uncertain future, with a stack of others unsigned as Craig Fitzgibbon takes the wait-and-see approach for 2026.
Bringing a player like Papenhuyzen into a squad that consistently plays finals football but hasn’t taken the next step could be the final piece to a premiership puzzle.
Looking a little bit further down the ladder from recent seasons, St George Illawarra are clearly desperate for a high-profile signing and Papenhuyzen could fit the bill.
Current fullback and co-captain Clint Gutherson has two years to run on his deal but is more than capable of playing a different position, while Tyrell Sloan has been utilised as a winger in recent times and his days at the club may be numbered regardless.
Papenhuyzen would add some much-needed spark to the Dragons backline and could shake things up when it comes to Gutherson possibly moving to the halves or lock.
Another club who could be on the lookout for a fullback is the Wests Tigers, depending on what happens with young gun Jahream Bula in the coming weeks and months.
Jahream Bula Getty
Bula has been a free agent since November 1 but at this stage, hasn’t committed his future to the Tigers or any other club.
Should he look to depart Concord, it would free up both the fullback role but also plenty of money in the salary cap for Papenhuyzen to slot right in.
Benji Marshall has done an admirable job since taking over as head coach in difficult circumstances and it feels like the club turned a corner in 2025.
Adding a player of Papenhuyzen’s experience and calibre to the ranks would only help the upwards trajectory of the joint venture under Marshall.
While right now he is taking his time and assessing his options, Papenhuyzen will remain a talking point in rugby league circles until his next move is confirmed.
And if the Clive Churchill Medal winner does decide he wants to continue playing in the NRL, it could lead to a multi-team bidding war for his services.