Two NRL stars are in limbo and a host have had the rug pulled out from under them after R360 officials made the decision to delay their competition launch until 2028.<\/p>\n
R360 was heavily pursuing elite rugby league talent, with Zac Lomax and Ryan Papenhuyzen even released from their NRL contracts as defections loomed.<\/p>\n
But now, a carrot reportedly worth a minimum US$1 million per season has been taken away from them and their futures are unclear.<\/p>\n
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For Free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.<\/p>\n So – where do they and other players linked to R360 stand after the delay?<\/p>\n ZAC LOMAX<\/p>\n WHERE HE\u2019S AT NOW<\/p>\n Lomax is in limbo.<\/p>\n After being granted an immediate release from his lucrative Eels contract, he looked almost certain to make a rugby switch and join R360.<\/p>\n The biggest question was where would he spend his time until the competition was slated to begin.<\/p>\n But now without the rebel rugby competition to join, Lomax has been left well and truly in the lurch.<\/p>\n The gun winger has been training almost daily inside the Wollongong gym of UFC featherweight star Alexander Volkanovski, and there\u2019s potential he tries his hand at MMA.<\/p>\n However, it looks almost certain he will negotiate a deal to play either rugby league or union, with his agent Clinton Scifcofske confident he will find a deal for his client.<\/p>\n \u201cZac has options,\u201d Scifcoske said.<\/p>\n \u201cZac has always been interested in other things so he can pick and choose now.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s no shortage of interest. We\u2019ll make a final decision shortly.\u201d<\/p>\n So what are those options?<\/p>\n Zac Lomax\u2019s options are wide open.Source: Supplied Source Known<\/p>\n WHERE HE COULD END UP<\/p>\n After being granted a release could Lomax return to the Eels?<\/p>\n Unlikely. He\u2019d have to be willing to take a significant pay cut to return to Jason Ryles\u2019 squad and early indications are he was deemed surplus to requirements, with the Eels happy to reinvest his salary elsewhere; with an immediate link made to a plunge for Rabbitohs Test enforcer Keaon Koloamatangi.<\/p>\n But a return to the NRL will be allowed for Lomax, according to ARL Commission boss Peter V\u2019landys, who previously announced that players who signed with R360 would incur 10-year bans.<\/p>\n \u201cThey were just victims of the mirage,\u201d V\u2019landys told AAP. \u201c(It\u2019s) no surprise. Their current business model was never going to work. It\u2019s a shame so many people were hoodwinked.\u201d<\/p>\n The Eels will also have to give their blessing should Lomax be ready to put pen to paper on an NRL deal.<\/p>\n The Perth Bears are an obvious option, with the 18th franchise desperately on the lookout to land a marquee star.<\/p>\n Lomax could sign a one-year deal and play out one further season in the NRL before making a final call on his rugby switch.<\/p>\n The Titans are also on the lookout for outside backs with the futures of Brian Kelly and Phillip Sami up in the air, and they also have cap space available.<\/p>\n Should the Roosters fail to land Sea Eagles star Reuben Garrick\u2019s services, Lomax also fits that mould being a talented, goalkicking outside back who could fill the void left by Mark Nawaqanitawase, who will return to rugby in 2027.<\/p>\n But outside of the NRL, Lomax has also been linked to both French and Japanese rugby union \u2014 which could then put him on track for a potential Super Rugby contract.<\/p>\n A move to the French Top 14 rugby competition could come in the form of a \u201cmedical joker\u201d to replace any players who go down with injuries mid-year, while Japan is believed to be a long shot, with squads finalised ahead of a season kick-off this month.<\/p>\n The French competition kicked off in September and runs until June next year, and if Lomax makes that move he could land on the radar of Aussie franchises.<\/p>\n However, whichever way he goes, Lomax is set for a hefty pay cut from the $700,000 salary he walked out on.<\/p>\n Sexton heading to Perth! | 00:33<\/p>\n A Super Rugby contract would, according to the SMH<\/a>, be worth around $150,000 \u2014 less than a quarter of what he was on at the Eels \u2014 while his potential earnings abroad would be short-lived unless he seriously impressed.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, former dual international Lote Tuqiri believes a switch to the 15-man code should be Lomax\u2019s next move with a potential Wallabies berth on the horizon.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Wallabies would look at him, for sure. Not too many blokes in the current squad have put up their hands. There are spots available,\u201d Tuqiri told CODE Sports.<\/p>\n \u201cLomax would be successful in rugby union. He is great under the high ball, he\u2019s one of the best exponents in rugby league, he is a goal kicker, a big body, he\u2019s aggressive and has a kicking game.<\/p>\n \u201cHe should go chase the money overseas, come back for a Super Rugby season and then have a crack at the World Cup.\u201d<\/p>\n RYAN PAPENHUYZEN<\/p>\n WHERE HE\u2019S AT NOW<\/p>\n Ryan Papenhuyzen\u2019s situation is different.<\/p>\n He was released by the Storm and it has been widely suggested he will take some time away from professional sport, so he won\u2019t be in any rush to plot out his next move.<\/p>\n His agent Schifcofske also outlined that the R360 delays didn\u2019t have an influence on Papenhuyzen; however, he would have been afforded almost a year away from sport had he joined the rebel competition, which was originally due to start in October next year.<\/p>\n \u201cThis doesn\u2019t affect \u2018Paps\u2019 at all,\u201d Schifcofske said.<\/p>\n \u201cHe wanted time away from the game completely and that\u2019s what he is doing.\u201d<\/p>\n Outside of his R360 links, Papenhuyzen\u2019s future remains murky \u2014 but he will almost certainly take the field again in the future, whenever that may be.<\/p>\n Ryan Papenhuyzen after the Brisbane Broncos won the NRL grand final against his Melbourne Storm side.Source: News Corp Australia<\/p>\n WHERE HE COULD END UP<\/p>\n Papenhuyzen looks the most likely of the two released players to once again play in the NRL.<\/p>\n However, it seems unlikely that he will feature during the 2026 season, unless he kicks off his own pre-season campaign in the new year.<\/p>\n One thing is for certain though \u2014 NRL clubs will be lining up to sign him should the superstar fullback become available.<\/p>\n Given he was born and raised in Sydney, there\u2019s a chance Papenhuyzen could ink a deal with a Sydney-based club.<\/p>\n The Dragons have Clint Gutherson in their No.1 jersey, though it remains to be seen how many years left he has considering his knee issues and his insane level of output.<\/p>\n The Sharks also have a big question mark over their fullback spot, with the long-term future of Will Kennedy uncertain with rising star Liam Ison waiting in the wings.<\/p>\n Papenhuyzen could even return to the Storm, given he was a regular fixture under Craig Bellamy \u2014 but it remains to be seen if they would take him back, given there are high hopes for likely replacement Sua Fa\u2019alogo.<\/p>\n The most likely scenario looks to be a move to new franchise Perth Bears ahead of their inaugural campaign in 2027. The WA team is desperate for a marquee signing and the 2020 Clive Churchill Medallist would fit the bill, with a full salary cap at their disposal to make him a hefty offer.<\/p>\n V’Landys changes position on R360 stars | 00:48<\/p>\n MORE NRL NEWS<\/p>\n KNIGHTS: Ponga predicament in awkward puzzle as glaring void exposed<\/a><\/p>\n \u2018I\u2019LL BE BACK\u2019: Katoa breaks silence after head knock nightmare<\/a><\/p>\n