Parramatta ramp up pursuit of Kangaroos star after Zac Lomax's immediate exit from NRL

The Eels suddenly have about $2 million to play with.

Sam Goodwin, Sports Editor

Updated Mon 17 November 2025 at 2:11 pm AEDT

The Parramatta Eels are expected to ramp up their push to sign Keaon Koloamatangi from the Rabbitohs now that Zac Lomax has made an immediate departure from the NRL. The Eels announced on Sunday night that Lomax was granted an immediate release with three years left on his contract "to pursue opportunities outside the NRL".

The NSW and Australia winger has been heavily linked to rebel rugby union competition R360. On Monday, The Daily Telegraph reported that Parramatta's bid to sign Koloamatangi has been "strengthened" by Lomax's exit.

Koloamatangi made his debut for Australia in the recent Ashes series, coming off the bench in all three Tests against England. The 27-year-old forward also played State of Origin for NSW in 2023 and previously played 10 Tests for Tonga before switching his allegiance to Australia.

Koloamatangi was a revelation for the Rabbitohs in 2025, and was easily their best player in a season plagued by multiple injuries to their stars. He's only under contract until the end of 2026, making him free to speak to rival clubs about a deal for 2027.

"I think it all comes down to alignment . If Ryles and the front office are aligned in what they want , who they want to recruit , how they want to spread the cap etc things aren't as bad as you think. If Ryles and the club want Galvin it's hard to…"

"I agree but Subjective or not there are some facts to it .
Dylan Brown signed an 8 year deal with us in 2022 with options twice over the 8 years. In 2023 he derailed our season with offfield acts . 2024 he didn't play well . He hadn't performed to…"

"No one's been sucked in but what you'll find before they pull the trigger they'll play a wait and see game I know for a fact alot of players and coaches herein NZ are doing exactly the same.
What Vlandys and alike will do is throw shade on it as you…"

Replies

- Joel K > Wizardssleeves official receipts November 19, 2025 at 1:46pm
  
  Raiders as well
Cumberland Eel November 19, 2025 at 11:52am

Need players for 2026 and not just 2027
LB November 19, 2025 at 1:05pm

Clinton Schifcofske has declared he will not be negotiating with R360 at all in any capacity, fearing a 10 year ban for managers in the NRL. Surely this decision would have been made weeks ago and Lomax still decided to go.
- HKF > LB November 19, 2025 at 1:09pm
  
  All this means is Clinton won't deal directly with r360 he will just do it through one of his underlings.
- Cumberland Eel > LB November 19, 2025 at 1:36pm
  
  Yep and V'Landy reckons that Lomax hasn't probably looked into all the finer details of the R360 and could easily get sucked in. This makes me think maybe Lomax is attempting to get a contract with Japanese Rugby or somewhere in Europe and if the R360 isn't worth the risk he could end up at the NRL just like Hayne did but with Lomax he has to return to Parra within the contract term he signed I think 🤔
Coryn Hughes November 19, 2025 at 1:46pm

No one's been sucked in but what you'll find before they pull the trigger they'll play a wait and see game I know for a fact alot of players and coaches herein NZ are doing exactly the same.

What Vlandys and alike will do is throw shade on it as you do to protect there product.Its why Lomax has jumped less than a year into a 4 yr deal you don’t do that if your future is on the line.

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