Ryan Papenhuyzen has declared he won\u2019t be returning to the field in 2026.<\/p>\n
The 27-year-old superstar made a shock decision after the 2025 season came to a close, walking out on a contract worth north of $900,000 per-year at the Storm.<\/p>\n
Papenhuyzen was being heavily targeted by rebel rugby competition R360 and it was widely reported he would make a lucrative code switch in the New Year.<\/p>\n
Watch The Ashes 2025\/26 LIVE and ad-break free during play with FOX CRICKET on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.<\/a><\/p>\n WHAT’S GAMBLING REALLY COSTING YOU? Set a deposit limit. For Free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.<\/p>\n However, R360\u2019s start date was postponed to 2028, with Papenhuyzen unsure if he will ever return to professional sport with a gap year on the horizon.<\/p>\n \u201cI want to do something a bit different and throw myself into something I\u2019m a bit uncomfortable with, and see if I enjoy that,\u201d Papenhuyzen said to Code Sports.<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cLife\u2019s only short. If I\u2019m my 80-year-old self right looking back right now, what\u2019s something I would regret not doing? It\u2019s probably taking a chance and not doing something else. That\u2019s been the decision making process.<\/p>\n NRL 2025 RD27 Brisbane Broncos v Melbourne Storm – Ryan Papenhuyzen, HIA NRL PHOTOSSource: The Daily Telegraph<\/p>\n \u201cOnce (the R360 delay) came out, everyone said, \u2018what are you going to do now?\u2019 The plan was to have a year off and try a few different things. <\/p>\n \u201cThe plan doesn\u2019t change for me, maybe more for Lomax.\u201d<\/p>\n Papenhuyzen has reportedly taken up mentoring, hoping to help young athletes with the mental side of professional sports.<\/p>\n However, he also explained he still supported the R360 concept, with it being \u201conly a positive\u201d the competition was delayed.<\/p>\n Papenhuyzen also said the swirling rumours regarding his future were a \u201ccircus\u201d with touch football one avenue he could explore.<\/p>\n \u201cAll my mates and family think I\u2019ve signed something somewhere,\u201d Papenhuyzen said. \u201cI\u2019m like, \u2018I\u2019m just not playing\u2019.<\/p>\n Fogarty eager to forge his own path | 08:47<\/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