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Rugby Australia to target top NRL talent - Lomax case settled

Dogs Of War

Coach
Messages
13,822
Yep, Rex was a jnr wallaby.

There's dozens in the NRL, Manlys future halves (Walsh and Large ) were both jnr wallabies captains, alot of hype around tigers Makasini who was part of the jnr wallabies team that beat the All blacks last years.

Rabbits and warriors have signed 2 of New Zealands top Union prospects, Saumaki and Inch.

It's why any new team has to be NZ 2. There is an opportunity to real get NZ behind NRL in a big way.
 

Ian Douglas

Juniors
Messages
290
Yep, Rex was a jnr wallaby.

There's dozens in the NRL, Manlys future halves (Walsh and Large ) were both jnr wallabies captains, alot of hype around tigers Makasini who was part of the jnr wallabies team that beat the All blacks last years.

Rabbits and warriors have signed 2 of New Zealands top Union prospects, Saumaki and Inch.
Dragons have also signed a junior Allblack and a former junior wallaby has left the panthers to play in the French union competition.
 

League Unlimited News

Administrator
Staff member
Messages
10,437
Talking on his podcast (One Six Seven) with ex-teammates Cam Munster and Jahrome Hughes, Ryan Papenhuyzen shared a bit behind the scenes on his reason for walking away from rugby league, with a suggestion he's retired from the game.

"I had that head knock [the Brisbane game, last round of the year] ... pretty emotional, pretty upset ... I was rattled."

"I've never really cried in front of you boys, but I was in the sheds, trying to hide it a little bit. In that moment, I was a bit like 'what are you doin, at what cost do you play footy for?'"

After that game, Papenhuyzen said he let that moment process, got back to the task, missing the Qualifying Final before helping the Storm to a Grand Final appearance which they lost.

He suggested he knew within himself he was having a year off in 2026, deciding to prioritise his health.

"I know I said I'd take a year off, but at this stage I don't think I'd play [again] at all... R360 was definitely in the talks and something I was keen on, but nup... so now, I think I'm retired."

One Six Seven podcast:

 

Wb1234

Immortal
Messages
48,847
Talking on his podcast (One Six Seven) with ex-teammates Cam Munster and Jahrome Hughes, Ryan Papenhuyzen shared a bit behind the scenes on his reason for walking away from rugby league, with a suggestion he's retired from the game.

"I had that head knock [the Brisbane game, last round of the year] ... pretty emotional, pretty upset ... I was rattled."

"I've never really cried in front of you boys, but I was in the sheds, trying to hide it a little bit. In that moment, I was a bit like 'what are you doin, at what cost do you play footy for?'"

After that game, Papenhuyzen said he let that moment process, got back to the task, missing the Qualifying Final before helping the Storm to a Grand Final appearance which they lost.

He suggested he knew within himself he was having a year off in 2026, deciding to prioritise his health.

"I know I said I'd take a year off, but at this stage I don't think I'd play [again] at all... R360 was definitely in the talks and something I was keen on, but nup... so now, I think I'm retired."

One Six Seven podcast:

Think some time out to recharge his batteries he could be back even before June 30

Same with nas who wasn’t enjoying the game anymore

Storm would still have cap space even if they get Lomax
 

gerg

Bench
Messages
2,797
Where would Crighton play? Centre? He's been threatening to leave for a long time but realistically left it too late to be considered elite. He'll still get paid well though.
 

mccarthyj367

Juniors
Messages
72
Where would Crighton play? Centre? He's been threatening to leave for a long time but realistically left it too late to be considered elite. He'll still get paid well though.
600k a year is a 25% drop from what he gets at the Roosters atm. I get the ambition thing but RA and the Warratahs are not going to hold him for more than 12m on that wage.
 

Trifili13

Juniors
Messages
2,473
The good thing for Roosters with Angus going is it will free up $2m+ of cap space so they can go out and attract new players.
 

Matua

First Grade
Messages
6,177
Rokko Walker, plays flyhalf or fullback, don't think he played for jnr all blacks.

Interestingly dragons are paying for him to go to Cranbrook Boys High ....which is a Union school.
Cheers.

Oh, yeah not even close to a junior NZ rep, he's only what turning 16 this year? He's not actually a convert either, he's been on the Warriors radar.

I assume he's not going to be playing rugby for Cranbrook? I just read the Controversies section of their wiki page - St George should have left him at Auckland Grammar. 🤣
 

marlins2.0

Juniors
Messages
344
Cheers.

Oh, yeah not even close to a junior NZ rep, he's only what turning 16 this year? He's not actually a convert either, he's been on the Warriors radar.

I assume he's not going to be playing rugby for Cranbrook? I just read the Controversies section of their wiki page - St George should have left him at Auckland Grammar. 🤣
He went to Cranbrook? That's a private school!
 

League Unlimited News

Administrator
Staff member
Messages
10,437
The Parramatta Eels have today commenced legal proceedings against Zac Lomax. The purpose of the proceedings is to enforce the release agreed in November 2025.

We have endeavoured to resolve this by negotiations. This has included a formal independent mediation process with Zac Lomax and his legal team and representatives of the Melbourne Storm. However, no deal has been reached. Zac’s legal team have informed us in writing that he does not agree that the terms of the release can be enforced against him. Regrettably, we have been left with no alternative, but to approach the NSW Supreme Court to resolve this issue.

In late July / early August, Zac requested a release from his playing contract with the Parramatta Eels to pursue opportunities outside the NRL. After a period of negotiation with Zac and his lawyers, the Parramatta Eels agreed to the terms of a release for Zac to pursue opportunities outside of the NRL. As part of the release granted on 16 November 2025, the Parramatta Eels included conditions to safeguard the Club.

One of those conditions was that Zac could not join another NRL Club before 31 October 2028 without our express written consent.

This protected the Parramatta Eels (and its Members and fans) from a football perspective heading into the 2026 season. It ensured the Club would not lose a representative player to another NRL club without receiving adequate compensation/benefit during the period of Zac’s original contract. Zac agreed to that condition after receiving legal advice.

Parramatta Eels Chairman Matthew Beach made the following comments:

“It is disappointing that we have reached this position, but we have an obligation to the Club’s stakeholders to protect the contractual rights of our Club and the expectation of our Members, players and supporters that contracts will be honoured.

“Back in November 2025, we granted Zac Lomax’s request for a release to pursue opportunities outside the NRL on the condition that he would not return to the NRL during the period of his original playing contract with our Club, without our written consent.”

”Zac had legal representation during the negotiations of his release. Zac accepted those conditions on the basis that he told us that his interests were focused on pursuing opportunities with rugby union, particularly R360. The release documentation was registered with the NRL. The NRL are aware of the conditions associated with the release.

“Our Club believes in the importance of observing contractual obligations. Contracts allow Clubs and players to operate with certainty and within a framework of rules. Contracts are the very stuff that any member of the community and companies have to honour in order to ensure that there is fair dealing. The same applies to the NRL, Clubs and players.

“Late last year, when we were approached by Melbourne Storm, we engaged with them in good faith however we have not been able to come to an agreement that would represent sufficient value for our Club, particularly in relation to our football program. The guiding position of our Club has been to ensure a fair exchange of value for our football program in circumstances where the Storm are attempting to obtain the benefit.”

“Zac and his agent still have an opportunity to work with us to explore options with the other 16 NRL clubs. Notwithstanding this action, we remain open to discussions with any Club who may be willing to offer the appropriate value for our football program.”

“Our coaching staff, players, Members and fans would not expect us to consent to the release based on what has been offered, and therefore we have no alternative but to pursue legal action to enforce the terms of the release and protect the rights of our Club.”

Arthur Moses SC has been retained by the Parramatta Eels to represent its interests in court,” added Beach.

 

Wb1234

Immortal
Messages
48,847
He went to Cranbrook? That's a private school!
Some nrl clubs are paying for their juniors to go to these schools

Lots of them are league juniors first or play both codes then usually decide on league but union fans claim them as their own
The Parramatta Eels have today commenced legal proceedings against Zac Lomax. The purpose of the proceedings is to enforce the release agreed in November 2025.

We have endeavoured to resolve this by negotiations. This has included a formal independent mediation process with Zac Lomax and his legal team and representatives of the Melbourne Storm. However, no deal has been reached. Zac’s legal team have informed us in writing that he does not agree that the terms of the release can be enforced against him. Regrettably, we have been left with no alternative, but to approach the NSW Supreme Court to resolve this issue.

In late July / early August, Zac requested a release from his playing contract with the Parramatta Eels to pursue opportunities outside the NRL. After a period of negotiation with Zac and his lawyers, the Parramatta Eels agreed to the terms of a release for Zac to pursue opportunities outside of the NRL. As part of the release granted on 16 November 2025, the Parramatta Eels included conditions to safeguard the Club.

One of those conditions was that Zac could not join another NRL Club before 31 October 2028 without our express written consent.

This protected the Parramatta Eels (and its Members and fans) from a football perspective heading into the 2026 season. It ensured the Club would not lose a representative player to another NRL club without receiving adequate compensation/benefit during the period of Zac’s original contract. Zac agreed to that condition after receiving legal advice.

Parramatta Eels Chairman Matthew Beach made the following comments:

“It is disappointing that we have reached this position, but we have an obligation to the Club’s stakeholders to protect the contractual rights of our Club and the expectation of our Members, players and supporters that contracts will be honoured.

“Back in November 2025, we granted Zac Lomax’s request for a release to pursue opportunities outside the NRL on the condition that he would not return to the NRL during the period of his original playing contract with our Club, without our written consent.”

”Zac had legal representation during the negotiations of his release. Zac accepted those conditions on the basis that he told us that his interests were focused on pursuing opportunities with rugby union, particularly R360. The release documentation was registered with the NRL. The NRL are aware of the conditions associated with the release.

“Our Club believes in the importance of observing contractual obligations. Contracts allow Clubs and players to operate with certainty and within a framework of rules. Contracts are the very stuff that any member of the community and companies have to honour in order to ensure that there is fair dealing. The same applies to the NRL, Clubs and players.

“Late last year, when we were approached by Melbourne Storm, we engaged with them in good faith however we have not been able to come to an agreement that would represent sufficient value for our Club, particularly in relation to our football program. The guiding position of our Club has been to ensure a fair exchange of value for our football program in circumstances where the Storm are attempting to obtain the benefit.”

“Zac and his agent still have an opportunity to work with us to explore options with the other 16 NRL clubs. Notwithstanding this action, we remain open to discussions with any Club who may be willing to offer the appropriate value for our football program.”

“Our coaching staff, players, Members and fans would not expect us to consent to the release based on what has been offered, and therefore we have no alternative but to pursue legal action to enforce the terms of the release and protect the rights of our Club.”

Arthur Moses SC has been retained by the Parramatta Eels to represent its interests in court,” added Beach.

Bravo eels

This is how to run a good nrl club
 

marlins2.0

Juniors
Messages
344
Some nrl clubs are paying for their juniors to go to these schools

Lots of them are league juniors first or play both codes then usually decide on league but union fans claim them as their own

This guys a gangster? His real name is Clarence!
 

Delboy

First Grade
Messages
8,954
Rokko Walker, plays flyhalf or fullback, don't think he played for jnr all blacks.

Interestingly dragons are paying for him to go to Cranbrook Boys High ....which is a Union school.
The reason clubs send players to union schools it is one of the few payments that are allowed that don’t count agst the cap - education. Some clubs have sports schools in those area and take advantage of them ( ie Keebra Park)

No surprise that young players go to Kings, Riverview, Cranbrook as it’s allowable in the rules
 

taste2taste

Bench
Messages
3,294
The reason clubs send players to union schools it is one of the few payments that are allowed that don’t count agst the cap - education. Some clubs have sports schools in those area and take advantage of them ( ie Keebra Park)

No surprise that young players go to Kings, Riverview, Cranbrook as it’s allowable in the rules
So its basically a payment that doesn't count towards the cap ?

GPS schools fees are pushing 50k a year, that's a hefty amount of cash that doesn't count towards the cap, especially for teams that have multiple players in GPS schools #roosters

This can back fire on teams when players decide to stay in union. Penrith have lost Lemoto, the roosters lost Jorgenson and Zach Fitler....
 

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