Why NRL’s 10-year bans could deliver Lomax and Papenhuyzen to the Wallabies

Dual international Mat Rogers says rugby – and possibly the Wallabies – will be the big winner if the NRL sticks to its guns by enforcing 10-year bans on Zac Lomax and Ryan Papenhuyzen should they sign with R360.

Rogers backed Lomax and Papenhuyzen to be an instant success in the rival code if, as speculated, they join the rebel rugby competition.

Lomax parted ways with Parramatta on Sunday, despite being just one year into a four-season deal worth $2.8m, while Papenhuyzen quit Melbourne with a year to run on his own contract earlier this month. Broncos prop Payne Haas has been tipped to follow suit.

The NRL has vowed to impose what would effectively be lifetime bans on any player who negotiates with R360.

But Rogers pointed out that if the competition struggled to stay afloat, and the NRL stood firm on the proposed bans, Lomax, Papenhuyzen and Co would be almost certain to remain in rugby and would be prime targets for the domestic competition – from where they could challenge for Wallabies selection.

“All this talk about will they make it or not, it’s not an issue at all,” Rogers said. “Lomax and Papenhuyzen were freaks in rugby league, and if they put in the same amount of time and effort in rugby, they’ll have the same success.

“The codes are not that different. Ryan Papenhuyzen’s goal every time he gets the ball is to make a break and score a try. He’ll have the same goal in rugby. It will be the same story for Zac.

“Look at what Max Jorgensen does for the Wallabies. He’s been a shining light the last 12 months, and Lomax and Papenhuyzen fit into that category – they only need a little bit of space to create a lot. I’ve got no doubts they’ll succeed.

“The bigger issue for them now is if the league concedes and allows them to return [if R360 does not survive].

“Some of the people I’ve spoken to in the game are quite happy about the NRL’s ten-year ban. If R360 falls over, rugby will have two superstars unable to return [to league]. There will be a new home for them in Australia.

“You could have half a dozen guys from the NRL unable to return. There’s the option to play in the provincial system [Super Rugby], then maybe go on to play for the Wallabies.”

Sources with knowledge of the situation who spoke on the condition of anonymity said the NRL’s threat of 10-year bans had already convinced up to half a dozen players who had been weighing up a move to R360 to stay in league.

Rugby Australia has publicly stated that any player who joins R360 will not be picked for the Wallabies.

Lomax and Papenhuyzen have the option of chasing bigger paydays in French or Japanese rugby, but would need to remain in Australia to be eligible for the green and gold.

Rogers said Lomax could make a seamless transition onto the wing in the 15-man code, while Papenhuyzen had the ability to play fullback, No.10, or even No.12 in a “Matt Giteau-type role”.

Papenhuyzen is not tall, but Rogers said his speed was all that mattered. “Most small guys spend their entire careers making big guys look silly, which Papenhuyzen has done,” he said.

The biggest coup for R360 would be landing the signature of Broncos prop Haas, said Rogers. Haas has reportedly been offered up to $3 million a year to walk away from the NRL premiers.

“Payne could play No.8, No.6, No 12, it wouldn’t matter what number you put on his back,” “Rogers said. “His mobility and size is on another level. There are players bigger than Payne in rugby, but none of them have the athleticism he has. Imagine him at No.12. He would be devastating in union.”

ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys on Monday said on Monday: “I feel sorry for Zac, I feel sorry for Ryan Papenhuyzen, I think they’re being ill-advised, and they’re jeopardising their whole careers on wild promises.

“What I would be strongly recommending to them is to get irrevocable bank guarantees that they will actually get paid.”

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