Eels Release Lomax in Stunning NRL Departure
In a move that has sent shockwaves through rugby league, the Parramatta Eels have granted an immediate release to star winger Zac Lomax from his substantial four-year NRL contract. The club's official statement, which confirmed Lomax would 'pursue opportunities outside the NRL', provides significant clues pointing towards a potential switch to the controversial new R360 rebel rugby competition.
Big Money and a Forbidden NRL Return
Lomax, the 2024 Dally M Winger of the Year, only joined the Eels at the end of the last season following a breakdown in his relationship with the St George Illawarra Dragons. His departure is particularly notable given he had three years remaining on his deal, reportedly worth $700,000 per season. As a condition of his release, the Eels have stipulated that the 26-year-old cannot sign with another NRL club until 2029 without their explicit permission.
This paves the way for a lucrative move, with reports suggesting Lomax could earn nearly three times his current salary by defecting to the R360 league. His exit also serves a practical purpose for Parramatta, freeing up crucial space in their salary cap following the re-signing of Josh Addo-Carr and the arrival of Storm playmaker Jonah Pezet.
A Growing Rebel Threat and NRL's Hardline Stance
Lomax is not the first high-profile name linked to the breakaway competition. His departure follows that of Melbourne Storm fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen, who has also been connected to R360. The rebel league, which is registered to the United Arab Emirates Rugby Federation and co-founded by former England rugby star Mike Tindall, aims to launch with teams in global cities including London, Miami, Tokyo, and Dubai.
The NRL's response has been fiercely defensive. Australian Rugby League Commission chief Peter V'landys has publicly dismissed R360 as a 'competition out of a Corn Flakes box', while the league has threatened defecting players with staggering 10-year bans. However, the specifics of this ban remain unclear, especially for players like Lomax and Papenhuyzen who would not be under NRL contract when signing.
Further complicating matters, most major rugby union nations, including Australia, plan to blacklist players from Test representation if they join R360, though Argentina, Fiji, and Japan have not agreed to this. Melbourne CEO Justin Rodski even suggested Japan's domestic season, starting in December 2025, as a potential destination for Papenhuyzen.
As the R360 league prepares for its inaugural season and a player draft in July, the defection of a marquee player like Zac Lomax would mark a significant coup and intensify the battle for rugby's top talent.
