NRL transfer news 2024: Parramatta Eels shutdown Zac Lomax backflip fears
Parramatta officials have hosed down fears that Zac Lomax could renege on his deal, insisting the club has no doubt surrounding the star recruit’s impending arrival. See the latest transfer news.
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Parramatta Eels have hosed down fears that Zac Lomax won’t be at the club next season with chief executive Jim Sarantinos insisting the club has no doubt surrounding the star recruit’s impending arrival.
Speculation has been rife that Lomax was restless given the change in Parramatta’s coaching situation coupled with his rise to becoming one of the game’s best players this year. He inked a four-year $650,000 contract to join the Eels next season having been granted an early release from his St George Illawarra contract.
“We expect and have no reason to believe that Zac won’t be here next season,” Sarantinos said.
It is understood the Eels have been in consistent dialogue with Lomax in recent weeks, like they have with the rest of their playing group. They have provided regular updates about their ongoing coaching search. Lomax has not indicated that he won’t be joining the Eels in 2025 despite being signed under former coach Brad Arthur.
Any potential agitation is not expected to occur until after Lomax completes his first Origin series.
Privately, the Dragons have not made any play to keep Lomax at the club. They are however understood to be aware that Lomax may be getting cold feet about the potential move.
Given Lomax is a contracted player with Parramatta from next season, he would need to be granted an early release.
The Dragons have instead turned their attention to securing Parramatta young gun Blaize Talagi as a Lomax replacement.
Talagi is weighing up a potential move to Newcastle while the Eels also want to keep the rising star. Talagi will delay a decision until a new coach is announced at the Eels.
Meanwhile, the Dragons remain in talks to lock down the Feagai twins.
RUGBY STAR SECURES EARLY RELEASE FOR TITANS SWITCH
—Peter Badel
Former Wallabies star Quade Cooper has backed Carter Gordon to be a smash hit in the NRL after the Australia flyhalf secured an immediate release to join the Titans.
Wallabies playmaker Gordon signed a two-year deal with the Titans worth around $400,000 a season and was originally scheduled to link with the Gold Coast in 2025.
But his code switch has been expedited, with the 23-year-old severing ties with Rugby Australia and training with the Titans for the first time on Wednesday in his bid to succeed in the NRL.
It is understood Gordon has not been added to the Titans’ 30-man full-time roster but has kicked off his Gold Coast chapter to learn the nuances of rugby league ahead of his planned debut next season.
The talented playmaker has the support of Cooper, the 79-Test Wallabies great who believes Gordon won’t be an NRL flop and admits he wished he had the courage to also embark on a code switch to rugby league.
Cooper was on the verge of joining the Parramatta Eels in 2011, but got cold feet at the eleventh hour and remained in rugby.
It’s why he admires Gordon’s ambition and he believes the Wallabies defector, who is set to challenge Tanah Boyd for the Gold Coast No.7 jumper, has what it takes to fire at the Titans.
“He’ll be a natural at the game,” Cooper said of Gordon.
“He has the ability in rugby to sit on the gain line and still look like he has time, so with rugby league, the extra space between the attack and defence will be a thing of luxury for him.
“His kicking game, size and speed will be suited but the big difference is his pass.
“He has an amazing passing game, especially the length and speed, so that’s what I’m excited to see when he plays.
“Congrats to him for making the switch.
“It was something I always wanted to do but never had the courage to.
“It shows Carter’s mindset that he’s not afraid of this challenge and stepping outside his comfort zone.”
Gordon recently attended a Titans home game and at the time Gold Coast coach Des Hasler denied the rugby convert would arrive at Parkwood earlier than expected.
But Rugby Australia have authorised Gordon to leave early and hit the glitter strip, giving the playmaker a four-month headstart before the start of the Titans’ 2025 pre-season.
Gordon signed with the Titans in the wake of the Melbourne Rebels’ axing from the Super Rugby Pacific competition.
“He trained with us this morning and has started his development and education,” Hasler said.
“We are in no rush. We don’t need to.
“We will let him get settled and go from there.”
Hasler is yet to settle on exactly where Gordon will play in the NRL.
“We will determine that over the next couple of months,” Hasler said.
“He is solid and has all the qualities. He has represented his country in union so he has some great skill so we will see how that develops.”
Gordon, who grew up in Queensland, made his Test debut for the Wallabies against South Africa in Pretoria last year.
He played eight Tests and was a member of the Wallabies’ squad that failed to advance from the pool stage at last year’s Rugby World Cup in France.
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