‘He has options’: Agent of ‘hoodwinked’ stars gives update on clients after R360 bombshell

The agent of Ryan Papenhuyzen and Zac Lomax has given an update on the future of his clients following the postponement of R360.

The proposed global rugby league competition has delayed its launch until 2028, organisers announced on Friday in a stunning development to its disruption of the sport.

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The competition, which had been aggressively pursuing the signings of top NRL talent — including Lomax and Papenhuyzen — cited “greater commercial certainty and a significantly more favourable environment for players and fans” among its reasons for the two-year delay.

The move leaves the likes of those stars, who had their deals with the Eels and Storm respectively ended after the 2025 season, in limbo for two years.

However, their manager Clinton Scifcofske told Code Sports that Lomax and Papenhuyzen remain in good stead.

“Zac has options,” Scifcoske said.

“Zac has always been interested in other things so he can pick and choose now.

“There’s no shortage of interest. We’ll make a final decision shortly.

“This doesn’t affect ‘Paps’ at all.

“He wanted time away from the game completely and that’s what he is doing.”

WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR PLAYERS?

R360 was set to launch in October next year and had aimed to poach more NRL players to get off the ground.

In response, the NRL announced it would ban any player defecting from the competition to R360 for 10 years.

However, in the wake of this recent development, ARL Commission boss Peter V’landys says Lomax and Papenhuyzen – who were granted early releases from their NRL deals – “are most welcome to come back.

“They were just victims of the mirage,” V’landys told the AAP.

“(It’s) no surprise. Their current business model was never going to work. It’s a shame so many people were hoodwinked.”

The breakaway competition also faced staunch opposition from several rugby union boards who earlier this year united in their condemnation of its proposed launch.

The delay will likely influence what Payne Haas does in 2027 with the Broncos star off contract at the end of next season and facing a reported $3m a year deal from R360.

The Broncos are obviously keen to retain him and given the recent development, they’ll be confident of locking Haas up on the richest NRL deal ever for a prop forward.

Parramatta’s Lomax, as well as Storm stars Papenhuyzen and Nelson Asofa-Solomona, have their futures now up in the air.

It’s unclear if they would stay in rugby league, switch to overseas rugby or sign with R360, and it’s only getting murkier with the promises of huge contracts and tax-free incentives suddenly up in the air.

They won’t be without options, particularly Lomax and Papenhuyzen, who both ended the 2025 season among the best at their respective positions.

Reports seem to indicate that Papenhuyzen is keen to take some time away from professional sport so he won’t be in any rush to plot out his next move.

Given he was born and raised in Sydney, there’s a live chance Papenhuyzen could ink a deal with a Sydney-based club.

Teams like the Dragons and Sharks have question marks at fullback and would become the favourites in any potential Papenhuyzen sweepstakes.

There’s a minor chance the Storm take Papenhuyzen back, but comments from CEO Justin Rodski in the wake of the fullback’s release give the impression the club is moving on with the exciting Sua Fa’alogo waiting in the wings.

Lomax’s situation is much more complicated.

While Papenhuyzen had just one year left on his deal (2026), Lomax walked out with three years left on a big money four-year deal with Parramatta.

He won’t be able to sign another contract with an NRL club until 2028 unless the Eels grant him permission as per the terms of his early release.

That leaves his rugby league career in real limbo.

In a twist which was revealed earlier this week though, Lomax could be eyeing off a career in combat sports.

According to foxsports.com.au’s Nick Walshaw, Lomax has been sparring with UFC fighters and is “100% interested” in a potential career in either boxing or MMA.

WILL R360 EVER GO AHEAD?

Too early to tell of course.

Organisers remain confident that the 2028 launch will work, with R360 keen to “complement” world rugby to help the game grow, but the decision to delay is a huge win for the NRL and its push to keep its biggest stars.

“R360 has always been about supporting the long-term growth of the sport we love,” R360 board member Mike Tindall said.

“Our aim is to create a global showcase league that sits between international and club rugby – a competition that keeps fans engaged year-round, brings new audiences into the game, and elevates both male and female players on a global stage.

“International rugby attracts huge audiences and is one of the most compelling products in world sport. But most players outside the biggest fixtures aren’t yet household names.

“Club rugby is vital to the rugby ecosystem however its reach remains limited to the core fans. There is a clear gap for a global, innovative competition that can broaden rugby’s appeal and inspire a new generation of fans – and our data consistently supports that need.

“As per many other sports, evolution is critical to broadening its appeal, finding new talent and realising commercial value.

“Cricket, Formula 1, football, sailing, golf, boxing, darts – to name a few – are all finding new ways to tell new stories to new audiences and building a stronger sport. This is rugby’s opportunity.

“The decision to shift our launch to 2028 is a strategic decision based on timing. Launching under compressed timelines would not meet the standards we set for R360, nor would it deliver the long-term commercial impact that the sport deserves.

“From day one, our commitment to players has been unwavering. Many of the world’s best female and male players continue to express strong interest in joining R360. We want them to thrive – not be placed under unnecessary pressure.

“Ensuring player welfare, supporting their international ambitions, and working collaboratively with the global game remain core to our approach.

“As a board we remain absolutely determined to bring R360 to life at full scale and with maximum global impact. We’re building something bold and new that will resonate globally – and we cannot wait to show the world in 2028.”