The Melbourne Storm have released full-back Ryan Papenhuyzen from the remainder of his contract with immediate effect, amid increasing links to breakaway rugby union competition R360.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Papenhuyzen is one of 10 NRL stars being targeted by the rebel 15-man league, with Zac Lomax, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Nelson Asofa-Solomona all rumoured to be of interest.<\/p>\n
The full-back\u2019s now-confirmed departure, however, is the first concrete sign that the competition is set to go ahead as planned, despite no official announcements from the organisers.<\/p>\n
The 27-year-old has spent the entirety of his nine-year NRL<\/a> career with the Storm, debuting for the side back in 2017. Since then, he has gone onto make a total of 113 appearances for the club and helped Melbourne win the 2020 Grand Final.<\/p>\n He also won the Clive Churchill Medal in that win over the Penrith Panthers.<\/p>\n \u2018I want to thank the Club for their understanding and support throughout this process\u2019<\/p>\n Commenting on his release, Papenhuyzen said: \u201cI\u2019ve loved my time at Melbourne Storm. I\u2019ve enjoyed close to a decade of incredible memories and experiences in the purple jersey. Playing in front of the Storm fans every week has made my time in Melbourne something I\u2019ll never forget.<\/p>\n \u201cI want to thank the Club for their understanding and support throughout this process. I also want to thank my teammates, coaches and staff for all their love and support. It\u2019s been a privilege playing footy and working with you.\u201d<\/p>\n Melbourne Storm<\/a> chairman, Matt Tripp, added: \u201cRyan has shown great character and resilience throughout his time at our Club, and we\u2019ve loved watching him develop into the player and person that he is today. We\u2019re obviously disappointed that his time at Storm has come to an end, but we respect his decision to take some time away from professional sport.<\/p>\n \u201cWe thank Ryan for his enormous contribution to our Club. He departs Storm as a Premiership player and Clive Churchill Medallist with 113 games to his name. We wish Ryan the very best for the next chapter in his life and career.\u201d<\/p>\n Should the full-back cross over to the breakaway R360 competition, it would bring an end to his NRL career, with the ARLC set to ban players for up to 10 years should they take up an offer to join.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Commission has a clear duty to act in the best interests of Rugby League and its fans,\u201d ARLC chair Peter V\u2019landys said. \u201cWe will take all necessary steps to protect the future of the game.<\/p>\n \u201cUnfortunately, there will always be organisations that seek to pirate our game for potential financial gain. They don\u2019t invest in pathways or the development of players \u2014 they simply exploit the hard work of others, putting players at risk of financial loss while profiting themselves. They are, in reality, counterfeiting a code.<\/p>\n \u201cAccordingly, if it all goes wrong, it\u2019s the players who suffer most. Every stakeholder must be accountable to the standards our fans expect. We\u2019ve listened to our clubs, and we\u2019ve acted decisively.\u201d<\/p>\n NRL CEO, Andrew Abdo, added: \u201cThis policy reflects the united stance of the Commission and NRL clubs. We will not allow unrecognised competitions to undermine the integrity, professionalism, and future of rugby league.\u201d<\/p>\n THURSDAY\u2019S READS ON LRL<\/p>\n \ud83d\udc49\ud83c\udffb Shaun Wane\u2019s brutally honest assessment of opening Ashes defeat as loss dissected<\/a><\/p>\n \ud83d\udc49\ud83c\udffb England star played at Wembley with horrific facial injury as shock surgery revealed<\/a><\/p>\n \ud83d\udc49\ud83c\udffb Jake Wardle\u2019s bold Ashes statement as passionate vow made ahead of second Test<\/a><\/p>\n