You'd have to say this Rugby 360 thing is starting to get real....
Ryan Papenhuyzen had played his last game for the Melbourne Storm after being granted an immediate release to consider his future.
Papenhuyzen, who has been widely linked with rebel Rugby in a competition R360, has been a fixture at the Storm during a highly successful period for the club.
He had one year remaining on his deal with an option for a further season, but has opted to become the second Storm player to depart in two days, following Jonah Pezet signing with Parramatta for next year before he is due to join the Brisbane Broncos on a long-term deal.
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No no Wiz, you are wrong. He needs knee surgery so we signed him for pre-season training to be experienced head in lock room, he will only be in rehab, no training. Then come time when he is fit he has agreement in principle to join R360. Like getting a bird with a broken wing and healing til they fly away.
The deal we have with him for 2026 stipulates he's only going to play attack for us and only play defence for Canterbury. I just hope we don't play the Dogs on a Sunday. He'll be a busy boy.
lol..then off to 360 wiz ha
He should head back to the Tigers...then again...
This is the first sign of R360 being real, players will begin to try and head off to Europe and play Union til R360 eventuates and can start immediately.
It would be panic stations, bit like SL 97 where the story of Kevin Walters paid the $15 fast clearance on his SL cheque in fear the money runs out, players want to play in 2026 to get what they can incase it fold after a year or two.
Nobody knows why
I'm expecting Parra to come out with the same announcement for Lomax
Tick tock... waiting... 🍿
Makes sense that this is the first R360 penny to drop - the timing is spot on, right in time to give Melbourne a few days to consider releasing him so they can make plays in the Nov 1 player market.
In all honesty this probably solves a hard problem for the Storm with Faalogo waiting for his spot.
I wonder if many other R360 dominos will fall... I assume the Lomax announcement will be out shortly.
If he goes to R360 will be interesting if the NRL bans them for 10 yrs.
V'Landys is a man that does not just say things and forgets or leaves it. He will try to ban them. Whether it is allowed to get enforced is another question.
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