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.
Replies
Raiders as well
Need players for 2026 and not just 2027
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.
All this means is Clinton won't deal directly with r360 he will just do it through one of his underlings.
Yeah true, bit like how Isaac Moses when banned sat in the room of one of his associates and told them what to say mid call.
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 🤔
More so Japan as their season ends before R360 begins i believe.
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.
Yeah i get a lot of players are jumping now hoping even just one year of a big pay cheque happens. I don't think Lomax would care if it went longer than a season or two, if he can get reported $1.7 mil a year, so $3.4 mil over 2 years and get out happy days.
It is like in SL War when Kevin Walters got his cheque from news limited and paid the $15 to waive the clearance fee.
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